Harvard University has announced a $1 million donation to support the launch of a new HBCU coalition, marking a significant investment in strengthening collaboration and capacity across historically Black colleges and universities. The contribution will fund the coalition’s early development, with a focus on expanding resources, fostering institutional partnerships, and advancing initiatives that promote student success and long-term sustainability.
The three-year grant was awarded to the Association of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Research Institutions (AHRI), a newly formed coalition of 15 HBCUs working to enhance their collective research, innovation, and institutional impact. Funding will support research infrastructure and provide technical assistance as member institutions build capacity and pursue R1 designation—the highest research classification for universities in the United States. Currently, Howard University stands as the only HBCU to have achieved R1 status, while many others are actively working toward that milestone.
Leaders involved in the effort say the coalition is designed to create a unified network that amplifies the collective strength of HBCUs while addressing longstanding challenges related to funding, infrastructure, and access. By leveraging Harvard’s resources alongside the expertise and legacy of HBCUs, the initiative aims to foster a more equitable and innovative higher education landscape.
“The launch of AHRI represents an important inflection point for HBCU research institutions. The 15 universities in this coalition collectively account for 50 percent of all competitively awarded federal research funding among HBCUs—underscoring the scale and strength of our research, doctoral education, and innovation,” said Tomikia P. LeGrande, president of Prairie View A&M University and vice chair of AHRI. “As Carnegie-classified institutions spanning R2 and R1 designations, we are aligning that strength through AHRI to amplify impact, accelerate discovery, and define the future of research while firmly establishing HBCUs as central to that future.”
To help ensure the coalition’s success, Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) and Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) will provide technical support and guidance. This includes strengthening research administration and compliance, supporting lifecycle grants management, hosting HBCU administrative staff on campus, and participating in key programming such as the inaugural AHRI symposium.
The coalition officially launched this week at Howard University during its inaugural symposium, themed “Expanding the Research Mission of HBCUs,” bringing together institutional leaders, researchers, and administrators to outline a shared vision for the future.
Beyond AHRI, the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative continues to support HBCUs through a range of programs. These include the Seminar for New Presidents, which fosters collaborative leadership development among HBCU and non-HBCU leaders; the HBCU Digital Library Trust, which has engaged more than 90 institutions in digitizing critical archival collections; and the Du Bois Scholars Program, a summer research internship that connects undergraduate students from 21 research-intensive HBCUs with opportunities at Harvard.
