They’re working to receive R1 status for the University!
Morgan State University (MSU) just released the results of Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), reporting a whopping $100.8 million in grants, contracts and gifts as well as a $27 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Morgan.edu reports. The investment is the largest for a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the state of Maryland, including a record high of $83.3 million in federal funding commitments for research and training at the Public Urban Research University.
“Significant and impactful research is taking place on the campus of Morgan State University. Our research is far from being esoteric and is addressing so many of the intractable challenges facing urban and marginalized communities,” said MSU president David K. Wilson.
FY23 marks the second consecutive year of funding growth for the HBCU, showing an 11% increase from last year. Researchers submitted 321 new proposals requesting more than $385 million for FY23, receiving 165 new funding commitments from those proposals. Included in the new funding is a $15 million over the next five years for the MSU National Center for Transportation Management, Research and Development, a five-year, $9 million grant for research related to diversity in artificial intelligence and machine learning, a five-year $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to study climate impact in urban environments in an integrated field laboratory, a $5 million grant to establish a research and education hub at MSU, and a $4.1 million grant to expand high-speed internet access to underserved communities in service of digital equity.
“Whether we are talking about resources received from our federal partners or those received from our corporate partners and individual donors, the more than $100 million achieved during FY23 is a strong endorsement of Morgan’s central role in driving innovation in our state and nation. Morgan is fast positioning itself to be one of the top institutions in the nation in addressing bias in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems; in reducing educational disparities; tackling health inequities; researching the root causes of and identifying strategies to reduce violence; building strong cybersecurity programs and research prowess; and in producing an impressive array of diverse talent to drive competitiveness in Maryland and beyond,” explained president Wilson.
The University also saw philanthropic donations remain consistent this year, receiving $17.5 million in combined gifts and donations during FY23. Willie E. May, Ph.D., vice president of Research and Economic Development and professor of Chemistry at Morgan said the University’s FY23 goals have been met and will help pave the way towards the coveted R1 status designation, acknowledging Morgan State as one of the leading research institutions in the nation.
“We also believe in involving our undergraduate students in the research enterprise, not just doctoral and post-doctoral students. We are building the type of research university we hope will be a model for this country. Morgan is on a path toward achieving an R1, very high research university status, and maintaining this type of continued investment will support getting us there,” added Wilson.
Congratulations Morgan State!
Cover photo: Morgan State receives $100m in funding, largest ever investment for an HBCU in Maryland/Photo Courtesy of Office of Naval Research