Defense Research Capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions Transitioning from Good Intentions to Measurable Outcomes (2022) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Summary
Summary
Pages 1-16
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
Yet, while DoD and other federal agencies recognize that a racially and ethnically diverse workforce and research base is in the national interest, little progress has been made in turning intentions into measurable results. One way to accomplish this goal, as recommended in previous studies conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and many other organizations, is to make intentional and strategic investments in the nation's more than 400 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
|
From page 2... ...
The 2020 NDAA specified the study focus on "minority institutions," which the NDAA defines as HBCUs and other institutions of higher education with at least 50 percent minority enrollment. This stands in contrast to earlier NDAAs that specified a focus on the more widely known term "minorityserving institutions," which are either historically defined or enrollment-defined with varying threshold requirements for minority enrollments and institutional expenditures.
|
From page 3... ...
Specifically, the National Academies was asked to identify the following: • The degree to which covered institutions are successful in competing for and executing DoD grants and contracts for defense research • Best practices for advancing the capacity of covered institutions to com pete for and conduct research programs related to national security and defense • Recommendations for strengthening and enhancing the programs ex ecuted under Section 2362 of Title 10, United States Code4 • The effectiveness of DoD in attracting and retaining students special izing in STEM fields from HBCU/MIs for the department's programs on emerging capabilities and technologies The Board on Higher Education and Workforce convened the Committee on Defense Research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions, tapping into university, nonprofit, and industry members with expertise in DoD grant and contract processes; research capacity at institutions of higher education, including HBCUs and MIs; and related areas. The committee gathered information through public workshops, commissioned papers, a literature review, and information requests from DoD and representatives of institutions of higher education.
|
From page 4... ...
Therefore, the committee developed its own framework to guide its approach. For the purpose of this report, the committee determined that capacity to conduct DoD-related research consists of three mutually enforcing areas: • A strong institutional research grant and contract base, including appro priate physical research facilities and skilled research support to enable competitiveness • Research faculty support, including an articulated vision and support for a research climate and culture by institutional leadership, faculty teaching workloads that allow time for research pursuits, and department/college based research staff and administrative support • Ancillary services, including effective human resources processes, legal/ contracting assistance, and robust government relations teams The committee deemed these three areas necessary for an institution of higher education to most effectively compete for DoD research funding, successfully carry out the funded work, and position itself to build on that success to compete for additional awards in the future.7 Another challenging task was to fully comprehend and describe the researchrelevant variations within HBCU/MIs.
|
From page 5... ...
It is worth noting that students of color who attend non-HBCU/MIs also play an important role in increasing the number of underrepresented minority individuals in defense-related research and the STEM workforce. As DoD seeks to improve the diversity of the science and engineering workforce that will address defense technology challenges, it is important to consider the methods and means to support these students as well.
|
From page 6... ...
Instead, the committee identified promising practices for expanding research capacities at HBCU/MIs interested in pursuing defense research in four areas: establishing critical infrastructure, increasing proactive communications and relationship-building, forming true partnerships with institutions, and considering other agency programs and practices for DoD adoption/adaptation.10 Different stakeholder groups will have different roles to play in implementing these practices. As a starting point, we outline the following roles.
|
From page 7... ...
• Build relationships with HBCU/MI researchers, such as increasing opportunities for faculty to sit on program, peer-review, or advisory boards for research sponsors or through institution-government ex change programs, such as Intergovernmental Personnel Act-type arrangements • Review select programs and practices from other government agencies that may be suitable for adoption and/or adaptation • Other stakeholders (e.g., university-affiliated research centers, DoD industry partners) • Establish and evaluate true partnership opportunities with HBCU/MIs that are mutually beneficial • Co-develop proposals and co-report research outcomes so that HBCU/ MIs play an active, appropriately resourced role • Create and sustain long-term relationships with HBCU/MIs that tran scend discrete research projects RECOMMENDATIONS The committee recommends a number of actions that can be taken by DoD and entities partnering with HBCU/MIs to advance defense research capacity.
|
From page 8... ...
Addressing specific gaps in capacity will allow HBCU/MIs to be more competitive not only for targeted funding but also for the non-targeted national security research funding that is often for larger, longer-duration research. RECOMMENDATION 1A: DoD entities (i.e., Office of the Under Sec retary of Defense for Research and Engineering, military departments, and defense agencies)
|
From page 9... ...
. RECOMMENDATION 1C: Additional funds requested and appropri ated for HBCU/MI institutional capacity-building should be deployed to put military departments' S&T program offices in more direct contact with HBCU/MIs (e.g., using the Military Department Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative competition process as a model)
|
From page 10... ...
Strengthening Program Coordination and HBCU/MI Engagement In addition to examining funding for research and infrastructure at HBCU/ MIs, the committee assessed DoD program coordination and engagement with these institutions to identify areas for growth. While DoD has sponsored a number of outreach efforts to these institutions, the committee determined that there is a need for DoD to build stronger relationships with researchers and leaders at HBCU/MIs with interests aligned with those of the military departments.
|
From page 11... ...
RECOMMENDATION 3B: Proposal Data Collection and Evaluation To increase the coordination of data collection, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering -- in collaboration with the military departments, defense agencies, and the director of the Defense Technical Information Centers -- should develop guidelines for data col lection on defense research and institutional capacity at HBCU/MIs. A directive should be issued by the Under Secretary of Defense for Re search and Engineering to ensure the coordination of data collection and codify the guidance.
|
From page 12... ...
Congressional reports, legislative language, and federal agency research solicitations have encouraged partnerships between HBCU/MIs and other universities, government entities, and industry, yet the committee found no examples in which partnerships were incentivized or directed by DoD. Incentivized true partnerships would allow other universities and industry to access the STEM research talent and capabilities at HBCU/MIs, while enhancing the defense research capacity and capabilities of these institutions.
|
From page 13... ...
and Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) programs, which may serve as models to expand research capacity in areas with potential for increased DoD research participa tion, as is the case for many Tribal Colleges and Universities.
|
From page 14... ...
program to two- and four-year HBCU/MIs in order to attract more students into graduate degree programs. The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and mili tary departments should also expand the ASSURE program to make it possible for HBCU/MI principal investigators to obtain research supplement awards for adding undergraduate student researchers to current DoD grants.
|
From page 15... ...
Current DoD programs, practices, and investments, targeted to HBCU/MIs or otherwise, are insufficient to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of HBCU/MIs. New, additional investments in infrastructure support and research funding can increase these institutions' effectiveness as performers.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.