The New Educational and Research Alliance (newERA) is a groundbreaking collaboration among the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Binghamton University and six historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs):
- Alabama A&M University
- Central State University
- Tuskegee University
- Prairie View A&M University
- University of the District of Columbia
- Virginia State University
The partnership is built on the shared missions of education, research and service, aiming to foster holistic, equitable and sustainable collaborations that will shape the future of academia and beyond.
The strategic alliances formed through this partnership will serve as a catalyst for research collaborations among faculty and students across the participating institutions. By pooling resources, knowledge and expertise, the universities will embark on joint initiatives that tackle pressing societal challenges. The focus areas of research will include artificial intelligence (AI), data science, cybersecurity, materials, biomedical engineering, smart energy, future manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture.
The partnership also will support HBCUs in their pursuit of a high research Carnegie classification by leveraging the strengths and expertise of all involved institutions. This endeavor reflects a shared commitment to promoting academic excellence and empowering HBCUs to become recognized leaders in research and innovation.
Key objectives
- Support faculty research collaborations. By providing access to shared lab resources, state-of-the-art equipment and advanced facilities, the universities will empower researchers to conduct cutting-edge investigations and foster an environment of knowledge- sharing and strengthen the research infrastructures of the participating HBCUs.
- Nurture a diverse talent pipeline of graduate students interested in pursuing careers in engineering and computer science. By offering mentorship, joint course development and summer internships, the alliance will provide opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
