North Carolina Central University was awarded $4.9 million by the U.S. Department of Education to expand its research programs, increase opportunities for students, and prepare graduates for careers in biotechnology, biomanufacturing and artificial intelligence.
The 48-month initiative aims to accelerate the university’s progress toward Carnegie Research 2 (R2) status. R2 universities conduct high levels of research and award at least 20 research doctoral degrees annually. The grant will help NCCU increase doctoral enrollment and graduation rates, the university said in a statement.
The grant will support three key areas:
- Modernizing research systems and spaces: Upgrading shared facilities, technology, data systems, and administrative processes.
- Helping faculty compete and succeed: Providing faculty with training, mentoring, and seed funding to pursue larger grants.
- Strengthening the student-to-scholar pipeline: Providing hands-on research experience, financial support, mentoring and career preparation across undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.
Funding includes $360,000 in stipends for doctoral students and $240,000 in assistantships for undergraduate and master’s students. The initiative is expected to support three doctoral fellows, approximately three master’s students, and six to eight undergraduate researchers each year.
NCCU announced the grant a day after reporting that its economic impact had reached $735.5 million across North Carolina, an increase of nearly $250 million since 2021.
The preliminary findings come from an impact study commissioned by NCCU in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill and NCGrowth. The study measured the University’s contributions to North Carolina through its students, employees, graduates, research, purchasing and partnerships.
“Our impact extends far beyond the boundaries of our campus,” Chancellor Dr. Karrie G. Dixon said in a statement. “It can be seen in the students we educate, the communities we serve, the workforce we strengthen and the economic activity generated throughout the state.”