NCCU Awarded $4.9 Million to Accelerate Its Path to R2 Research Status

DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has been awarded $4.9 million from the U.S. Department of Education's Research and Development Infrastructure Grant Program to expand its research enterprise, broaden opportunities for students, and prepare more graduates for high-demand careers in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and artificial intelligence.

The 48-month initiative — titled "NCCU R2-READY: Strengthening Research Infrastructure and Talent Pathways for Sustainable R2 Growth" — will accelerate the university's progress toward Carnegie Research 2 (R2) classification. R2 universities conduct a high level of research activity and award at least 20 research doctoral degrees each year. NCCU, founded in 1910 and consistently ranked among the nation's top historically Black colleges and universities, already exceeds the research-spending threshold required for R2 status; the new award is designed to help the university grow doctoral enrollment and graduation rates to meet the remaining benchmarks.

"NCCU R2-READY will strengthen the infrastructure, faculty capacity and student pathways needed to grow funded research and support advanced-degree completion," said Deepak Kumar, Ph.D., the project's principal investigator and professor of pharmaceutical sciences. "These investments will help faculty build competitive programs, engage students from undergraduate through doctoral study and position NCCU for sustained growth and greater impact." Kumar will be joined by co-principal investigators Jim C. Harper II, Ph.D., interim associate provost and dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and Kevin Williams, Ph.D., director of the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise and the Julius L.

The grant will advance three key priorities:

• Modernizing research systems and spaces — upgrading shared facilities, technology, data systems and administrative processes so faculty and students can conduct complex research more efficiently.
• Helping faculty compete and succeed — providing training, mentoring and seed funding so faculty can develop ideas, build teams and pursue larger grants.
• Strengthening the student-to-scholar pipeline — giving undergraduate, master's and doctoral students hands-on research experience, financial support, mentoring and career preparation.

Students will also connect with university, government and industry mentors who can help them move from the classroom to graduate study and into high-demand careers. "This award advances NCCU's pursuit of R2 status and reflects the strength of our faculty," said Kuldeep Rawat, Ph.D., vice chancellor for transformative partnership and economic development. "By investing in our infrastructure and creating more opportunities for faculty and students, we are promoting research excellence while preparing the next generation of scientists and innovators. Equally important, this initiative will also deepen industry partnerships and translate research into economic and societal benefits for North Carolina."

The initiative supports the R2 goal outlined in NCCU's Soaring to New Heights: Vision 2030 strategic plan and deepens the university's ties to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors in Durham and the Research Triangle Park. NCCU currently offers two research doctoral programs — a Ph.D. in integrated biosciences and an Ed.D. in counseling, counselor education and supervision.

For HBCU Connect's students, alumni and employer partners, NCCU's push toward R2 status is a powerful signal: more funded research, more doctoral opportunities, and a stronger pipeline of Black scientists and innovators entering biotech, biomanufacturing and AI. Students interested in these fields should explore graduate research opportunities at NCCU and keep an eye on hbcuconnect.com/jobs for roles with the employers partnering across the Research Triangle. Learn more about the university at www.nccu.edu.