Research
Our focus is on promoting excellence in research and scholarship. Our faculty, staff, and students engage in creative and collaborative research opportunities to engage and enhance our community at large.
After decades of foundational work, transformative research achievements and scientific study, in May 2017, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed into law a bill designating Morgan State University as the state’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University. Since that time the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has advanced Morgan from a moderate research classification of R3 (a ranking it’s held since 2006), to an elevated classification of R2, a status reserved for doctoral universities with high research activity. As a high research university Morgan’s faculty and staff engages in a proactive and concerted effort to increase research contracts and grant amounts, while also graduating more students and expanding the types of research conducted on campus as well as in the community. Morgan is now set upon a path to becoming a top research R1 doctoral university, a first among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The Pathway to R1
President David K. Wilson sits down for a candid conversation on Morgan's momentum and how its transformative force permeates all aspects of the University — particularly in the realm of Research and MSU's quest to attain R1 high research status. President Wilson shares insights on the impact of Morgan becoming an R1 research institution, its benefits to the greater community of Baltimore and State of Maryland, as well as setting a path forward to R1 classification.
1,000+
Doctoral Degrees
Awarded
36
U.S. Patents Awarded
(click to review full patents list)
#3
Best Research University
in Maryland
(AcademicInfluence.com 2025 Ranking)
#3
Among All HBCUs
for Research R&D
#1
Among All HBCUs
for U.S. Patents Awarded (2023)
Research at Morgan
Research Centers & Programs
Morgan's Cross-School Research Centers and Programs are important interdisciplinary efforts that address research and manufacturing challenges too complex for single-discipline programs.
Office of Undergraduate Research
It is our responsibility and honor to cultivate student success through innovative approaches to enhancing undergraduate research
Division of Research & Economic Development
The division works with the deans, department chairs, and principal investigators to develop and support institutional and cross-disciplinary research initiatives.
Center for Cybersecurity Assurance & Policy
Providing knowledge, methodology, solutions, and skilled cybersecurity engineers to help prevent penetration and manipulation of our nation’s cyber physical infrastructures.
