Skip to main content

Currently Skimming:

6 Conclusion
Pages 133-146

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 133...
... This recognition underlies how the committee undertook its task and the recommendations that resulted. Representatives from DoD, leaders from institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders who contributed to the committee's deliberations universally agreed that there is a need for a more significant role for HBCU/MIs in strengthening national defense research and in the STEM workforce.
From page 134...
... It encompasses the following three mutually reinforcing areas that facilitate an institution gaining access to research funding, successfully completing a funded project, and building on that success for the future: • A strong institutional research and contract base, including appropri ate 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 and legal/contracting assistance, and robust government relations teams Research-intensive institutions, especially R1s that have a strong research and contract base, research faculty support, and ancillary services, are in a better position to enable faculty and students to focus their efforts on proposal writing and conduct of the funded research. These institutions are also better positioned to compete more successfully for future funding opportunities, and to recruit and retain top faculty and graduate students.
From page 135...
... Specifically, the type, detail, organization, and completeness of data submissions varied greatly across DoD and could not be characterized as long time series data, which ultimately challenged the committee's ability to formulate research questions. OVERARCHING CONCLUSION 2: There is insufficient data collection, inter-departmental program coordination, and long-term records, and a lack of quantitative evaluations to appropriately assess DoD's (Under Secretary
From page 136...
... While it is important that HBCU/MI graduates enter the defense industrial workforce to increase DoD's ability to innovate and solve national defense challenges, it is also important to ensure a continuing flow of STEM graduate students from underrepresented groups working on defense projects, advanced degree holders entering DoD laboratory employment, and a STEM professoriate at HBCU/MIs proposing and executing defense research. DoD programs that engage students at the beginning of their undergraduate pathway (including at two-year institutions)
From page 137...
... The committee recommends a number of actions that can be taken by DoD and entities partnering with HBCU/MIs to advance defense research capacity. Increasing Funding for Capacity-Building at HBCU/MIs The committee's analysis of funding data from FY 2010 through FY 2020 indicated that there has not been a significant expansion in the funding for research projects or research capacity awarded to the vast majority of HBCU/MIs.
From page 138...
... In addi tion, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the military departments/defense agencies should be granted means to increase their capacity to manage the recommended in crease in DoD Program Element 0601228D8Z. • In the longer term, DoD should strive to meet or exceed the funding levels of other mission-focused agencies that are also continuing to improve their engagements with HBCU/MIs.
From page 139...
... to assist with building capacity; • supplementing expenses usually covered by overhead rates; and/or • upgrading research infrastructure. Strengthening Program Coordination and HBCU/MI Engagement In the committee's assessment of DoD program coordination and engagement with HBCU/MIs, it noted the need for DoD to build stronger relationships with researchers and leaders at HBCU/MIs whose interests align with those of the military departments (e.g., U.S.
From page 140...
... Data collection and analysis should be continual and consistent across military depart ments and agencies so that the data can be analyzed and, to the extent practical, be compatible with and included in national databases. 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.
From page 141...
... RECOMMENDATION 3C: Research Capacity Data Collection and Evaluation  The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering should work with the military departments and defense agencies and institutions of higher education to do the following: • Define the components of research capacity for institutions of higher education (including HBCU/MIs) that are of greatest interest to DoD; • Determine areas for data collection on institutional research capacity (e.g., administrative support, research infrastructure, teaching loads)
From page 142...
... Weighted grant or contract solicitation evaluation criteria for proposals that include true HBCU/MI research partnerships could serve as a sample incentive. RECOMMENDATION 4B: Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering contracts with true partnerships should include in creased funding to support the partnership and longer performance periods to allow for capacity-building at the HBCU/MI.
From page 143...
... 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 144...
... 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 145...
... A PATH FORWARD Current DoD programs, practices, and investments (targeted to HBCU/MIs or otherwise) are insufficient to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of HBCU/MIs.


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.