Morgan State University, a historically Black educational institution in Baltimore, has achieved a major milestone in research funding. In fiscal year 2025 (FY25), the HBCU secured $104.4 million in research commitments – the most in its 158-year history and an 18 percent increase from FY24.
This milestone will greatly support the HBCU in its pursuit of becoming an R1 research institution, a goal outlined in the university’s Transformation Morgan 2030 strategic plan. To receive the Carnegie Classification’s prestigious designation as an R1 institution, a university must average at least $50 million in annual research and development expenditures and produce at least 70 research doctoral graduates annually. Morgan State is projecting more than $65 million in research expenditures, putting the institution well above the benchmark required for R1 status. This is the second consecutive year that Morgan State has exceeded $50 million in research expenditures.
In FY25, Morgan State submitted 271 proposals totaling more than $151 million in requested funding. The HBCU netted 161 new commitments, a nearly 60 percent success rate. Of these commitments, 119 grants for $95 million were from federal sources, 23 awards totaling $7.5 million were from state and local sources, 13 grants valued at $1.2 million were from foundations, and six awards totaling some $370,000 were from private businesses and industry sources.
“By crossing this threshold, Morgan joins an elite cadre of the nation’s top research institutions,” said Morgan State University President David Wilson. “We have met this milestone with dogged focus and unwavering determination and will continue to forge ahead in becoming one of the top world-class, impactful urban research universities. We’ll do so without losing our soul — keeping our undergraduates connected to the power of discovery and committing to research that truly matters in people’s everyday lives. Our aim is to be a national model for innovation that addresses real-world challenges.”
“As we continue on our path toward R1, we are not just growing in volume but also in impact,” said Willie E. May, vice president for research and economic development. “The strength of our research portfolio lies in its diversity and societal relevance. These new funding commitments represent investments in knowledge that drive change, induce competition, and elevate our capacity to contribute to critical industries.”
