Alabama A&M University has been chosen as the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to participate in a $2.8 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant aimed at establishing a groundbreaking undergraduate program in research administration and management.

The initiative, led by Dr. Chris Brown, Vice President for Research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), seeks to fill a significant gap in the training and preparation of research administrators, a role critical to managing and overseeing research activities.

Brown, with over $780 million in research expenditures under his supervision, acknowledges that he learned much of his profession on the job due to the lack of formal educational pathways.

To address this, Brown is spearheading a three-year NSF-funded project that brings together over 40 universities in the U.S., along with institutions in South Africa and Namibia.

This project will design and implement a curriculum that provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue careers in research administration.

Alabama A&M will collaborate closely with other universities, including the University of South Alabama, University of Miami (Ohio), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of California, San Diego, and New Mexico State University. Together, they will develop the courses that form the core of this new academic program.

Dr. Majed El-Dweik, Vice President of Research and Economic Development at Alabama A&M, emphasized the importance of the project for HBCUs.

“Many HBCUs, including Alabama A&M, have limited resources when it comes to managing research programs,” El-Dweik said. “This initiative will help us share best practices and develop the talent needed to support faculty in securing and managing research funding.”

El-Dweik highlighted the complexity of research administration, explaining that the new program will give students a clearer understanding of the skills required for this career.

The curriculum will cover topics such as grant management, legal issues in sponsored research, budgeting, intellectual property, and federal compliance—offering students a comprehensive foundation for the field.

The program, backed by strong interest from over 40 universities and community colleges, has the potential to create a dedicated pipeline of skilled research administrators. These professionals will be essential to supporting groundbreaking research and innovation across academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors.

“This program will open up a viable career path for future research administrators, who play a crucial role in ensuring the success of research projects,” said Brown. “They are the backbone of innovation and academic progress, providing the support necessary for advancing technical breakthroughs and improving quality of life.”