External evaluation of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) Research Grants Program covers FY84-FY91. During the period reviewed, 152 research grants were awarded to 30 HBCU’s. More than half of the grants (83) were received by only 7 of the institutions. However, the program is not designed as a cohesive research program. Grants are awarded for discrete projects, and there is no system for ensuring that new grants will build on prior research results or will be related to other ongoing grants. Such cohesion as exists appears to have been the result of the efforts of some HBCU’s and principal investigators. The overall impact of the program, from the perspective of principal investigators and research directors, has been positive. In only 8 years, a critical mass of HBCU scientists have developed expertise in international programs, and many HBCU’s have strengthened their capabilities to work with A.I.D. However, the concept underlying the program contains an inherent conflict. While the program’s stated aim is to strengthen institutions, the research grants are often the result of the efforts of one researcher, or a very small group of researchers. These researchers often obtain multiple grants, often at different HBCU’s. As long as the principal investigators remain with minority institutions, the aggregate capacity and experience of HBCU’s are increased. However, the development of the capacity of a particular institutions often is thwarted by the movement of principal investigators. No drastic changes in the program are recommended, but it is recommended that HBCU’s that have developed a critical mass of research resources (and, accordingly, can be expected to generate visible favorable results) be rewarded for their initiative by being designated centers of excellence. Prospective centers would be expected to define a focused, long-term research plan, perhaps for 5 years, and to seek funding from non-A.I.D. sources to complement A.I.D. funding. It is suggested that as a demonstration of the centers of excellence concept, grants of $200,000 annually be awarded to two such centers, one for health and one for agriculture.
