National Science Foundation Awards Morgan State University Nearly $3 Million in Research Grants To-Date in FY25

Courtesy of Morgan State University

In what is amounting to a banner year for Maryland’s designated Preeminent Public Urban Research University, faculty researchers at Morgan State University are on pace to reach Morgan’s annual goal of $100 million in awarded research grants and contracts. The National Science Foundation (NSF), a longstanding catalyst for groundbreaking research across the U.S. higher education landscape, granted Morgan more than $2.9 million in funding to initiate new research and further existing research in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Bolstered by support from the NSF and many other agencies, Morgan has amassed more than $77 million in research grants and sponsored projects to-date.

The NSF funding received thus far supports nine diverse initiatives and drives essential innovation in microelectronics, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity, STEM education equity, career readiness and mobility accessibility.

The awarded projects reflect Morgan’s commitment to advancing technology, education and social equity. The grants will support faculty in developing cutting-edge solutions and programs addressing pressing national and global challenges, positioning Morgan as a STEM- and innovation-driven research leader.

“Federal support from agencies such as the National Science Foundation that funds research at our nation’s colleges and universities is much more than simply an investment in science, particularly at our HBCUs. It’s an acknowledgment of the need for diverse scientific perspectives that our faculty- and student-led research bring to the scientific community,” said Willie E. May, Ph.D., vice president for the Division of Research and Economic Development (D-RED) at Morgan. “We are on track to this becoming, by far, Morgan’s best year ever for securing new research awards and engaging in the meaningful investigative studies that they support. We look forward to continuing to broaden Morgan’s research capacity to support our nation’s competitiveness agenda as well as critical local, state and federal needs.”

The NSF investment represents a portion of Morgan’s active grants and contracts this fiscal year, moving the university significantly down the path toward its annual research award and research expenditure goals. Through sustained support and new partnerships, Morgan is poised to expand its research impact and contribute further to workforce development, particularly in underrepresented communities.

“We are honored to receive these NSF grants that not only affirm the caliber of our faculty’s research but also propel us closer to achieving R1 status in the next cycle of Carnegie classifications,” added Hongtao Yu, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs at Morgan. “This support enables our dedicated researchers to deepen their exploration of critical scientific questions while fostering an environment where students actively participate in cutting-edge discovery.”