Hampton University achieves prestigious R2 research status

Hampton University announced last week that it has obtained Research 2 designation — making it one of the few historically Black colleges and universities to do so.

The university received the designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which ranks research institutions based on the volume and breadth of their research activity.

With the new designation, Hampton joins 139 institutions nationwide that meet the requirements of spending at least $5 million in annual research and awarding 20 or more research doctorates yearly.

Of the 101 HBCUs in the United States, only 13 hold an R2 designation. The university said in a news release that this reinforces “the rarity and prestige of this classification” and that the new R2 status will increase its eligibility for competitive federal grants, help attract top-tier faculty and provide students with greater access to hands-on research opportunities.

University President Darrell K. Williams says the milestone strengthens the university’s position among the nation’s leading research institutions.

“This is a transformative, defining moment for Hampton University,” Williams said in the release. “Achieving Research 2 status reflects our unwavering dedication to academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and the expansion of opportunities for our students and faculty.”

While HBCUs account for only 3% of the country’s colleges and universities, they produce 25% of Black STEM graduates.

The university says its elevation to R2 status is “a vital step” in increasing the presence of Black institutions in high-level research categories.

“This designation highlights the tremendous progress Hampton has made in research and innovation,” said Neelam Azad, vice president for research, in the release. “Our faculty and students are engaged in groundbreaking research with real-world impact. Achieving Research 2 status is a significant breakthrough that not only expands our research capacity but also enhances our ability to secure funding and drive transformative advancements in critical fields of study. ”