WASHINGTON – Howard University has partnered with Princeton University, United Negro College Fund and four other HBCUs to launch a groundbreaking program designed to enable research collaboration between peer faculty at the institutions.

In the initial phase, Princeton researchers and researchers from Howard University, Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M University, Spelman College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore will co-lead research projects. These projects will be funded by Princeton University through its new Princeton Alliance for Collaborative Research and Innovation (PACRI).

“I see great potential in bringing together great minds from two excellent institutions to tackle common problems of interest for mutual benefit,” said Bruce Jones, Ph.D., professor and vice president for research, Office of Research, at Howard University. “We will create synergy and grow as we learn from each other in the spirit of collaboration.”

Teams of Princeton-HBCU researchers are invited to submit proposals by June 30. The initiative’s aim is to fund multiple collaborative projects each year between Princeton and the partnering institutions.

Princeton’s Dean for Research Pablo Debenedetti, Ph.D., described collaboration as a powerful force for new ideas and creativity in research and scholarship. 

“By creating a mechanism that encourages faculty from Princeton and HBCUs to work together, we hope to spark the creation of new teams of researchers that bring together people with different perspectives, experiences and expertise. The potential to generate new knowledge and discoveries across a wide range of disciplines is very exciting,” Debenedetti said. 

Princeton worked with UNCF to help get the program off the ground, enlisting their assistance to identify partners in this inaugural year.

“UNCF is excited to support this groundbreaking initiative connecting Princeton University faculty and research faculty at HBCUs,” said Chad Womack, Ph.D., senior director of National STEM Programs and Initiatives, UNCF. “PACRI will provide much-needed funding to help establish sustainable research collaborations between Princeton and HBCU faculty across a variety of HBCU campuses. We’re proud to partner with the PACRI team at Princeton to support engagement with leadership and faculty and to assist in the selection of HBCU campuses and then proposals via the RFP process,” Womack continued. “We expect phenomenal proposals from HBCU research faculty and their Princeton partners, and look forward to helping to build research capacity at each of the esteemed HBCUs participating in PACRI.”

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media contact: Sholnn Freeman; sholnn.freeman@howard.edu