Community &
Culture
How identity, cohesion, and civic life shape outcomes.
Research
Research Areas
Our agenda spans six domains where evidence can accelerate opportunity and well-being — the foundational pillars of the HBCU experience.
Community &
Education &
Opportunity
Learning systems and career pathways that drive mobility.
Government &
Policy
Institutions, laws, and decision-making that govern resources.
Health &
Well-Being
Social and environmental determinants of health.
Innovation &
Progress
Science, technology, and infrastructure for shared growth.
Labor &
Economy
Work, finance, and economic mobility.
Institutional Growth
Building HBCU Research Capacity
Strategic initiatives designed to foster sustainable research ecosystems within the HBCU network through focused structural support.
Building HBCU Research Capacity
We strengthen HBCU scholarship through targeted funding, faculty support, and student programs — anchoring long-term institutional growth.
Faculty Support
Sponsored research pathways and co-authorship; editorial & dissemination (briefs, reports, toolkits); policy roundtables connecting scholars with decision-makers.
Student Programs
Research assistantships & mentored internships; methods workshops & data literacy bootcamps; presentation slots at Payne convenings.
How We Work
Our Methodology
Evidence-based, stakeholder-centered, designed for translation to policy and practice.
Listen & Frame
Co-define the question and success criteria with those most affected.
Design & Collect
Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods—tailored to context.
Co-Develop Solutions
Prototype with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
Test & Validate
Evaluate outcomes and iterate for efficacy and equity.
Translate & Disseminate
Briefs, reports, tools, and convenings for decision-makers.
Scale & Sustain
Funding, partnerships, and technical assistance for adoption.
