Washington, D.C. – Howard University today announced a multi-floor lease to anchor the National Research Center for Health Disparities (NRCHD) – a new 200,000 square foot mission-driven lab and office building adjacent to their Washington, D.C campus.  Unique in the country, the NRCHD will create a centralized hub for addressing disparities in healthcare incidence, accessibility, treatment, and outcomes.  

NRCHD is designed to facilitate collaboration by connecting industry, foundations, and Howard’s research initiatives to develop solutions to diseases that affect systematically marginalized communities worldwide. Its location adjacent to Howard’s campus provides proximity to policymakers and key federal agencies and most importantly, a direct connection to the community it is intended to serve.  

“The impact of health disparities on our communities continue to challenge us to find new and innovative approaches to achieving optimal health for everyone—without regard to race, ethnicity, age or gender,” said Ben Vinson III, Ph.D., Howard University president. “Howard’s new National Research Center for Health Disparities positions the University to uniquely lead the next generation of research efforts that are critical to addressing the growing complexity of our healthcare needs.”

The Center will be an innovative state-of-the-art laboratory and office complex adjacent to Howard University's historic campus in Washington, D.C.  It will also include neighborhood-focused, ground-level retail space and outdoor plazas, providing venues for university and community gatherings. The NRCHD’s first phase will offer advanced laboratory and flexible office space to meet the emerging needs of tenants with research incubators, collaboration areas to encourage idea exchange, and spaces for policy development.

“Howard University and its associated research enterprise will be key co-collaborators in the center,” said Andrea Hayes-Dixon, M.D., Dean of the Howard University College of Medicine. “Our initial focus will be on our efforts directed to solving key issues that affect our communities, specifically regarding heart health, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, Gastric Intestinal and cancer in the Health Sciences. but also incorporating companion efforts from our colleagues in the STEM disciplines.”

Howard is developing the NRCHD in conjunction with Quadrangle Development and Capstone Development. The ownership group is being advised by the CBRE commercial real estate company, which is in advanced discussions with a shortlisted group of biotech and pharma companies for the balance of the space.  

Howard’s leadership role in this project supports the university’s research capabilities and is another step towards achieving the highest distinction in research, Research 1 (R1) status. It aligns with other previously announced investments in research, health, and education, including $785 million investment in academic facilities and $650 million for a new Howard University Hospital. Howard University is already recognized as a leading institution for Ph.D.’s awarded to Black scholars and the top training institution for minority physicians.

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