Road to Tenure: Understanding the Journey of Historically Black College and University Faculty Who Apply for Competitive Research Grants

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research in Progress Roundtable Session One
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding the Complexities of Race in Higher Education (Table 17)

Abstract

To address the need for more Black faculty members to move up the academic rank into tenure positions, a study was conducted that examines the experiences of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) faculty who apply to competitive research grants. Scholarly accomplishments, including producing and publishing high quality research is a requirement for tenure at most institutions. However, previous research has found that HBCU faculty often face challenges completing their research agenda due to less funding, and additional time commitments (student support). While research grants provide faculty funding to complete projects or take sabbaticals from institutional responsibilities, individual HBCU faculty have been awarded less than 10% of funding from major granting organizations. This study surveyed Black, HBCU faculty to understand their academic and personal demographics which contribute to tenure as well as their knowledge, support, motivation and biases toward applying to major research grants.

Author

• Nicole Marie Johnson, Howard University
  Presenting Author