Tuskegee University and UAB Receive $13.7 Million for Faculty Recruitment

By Norman Dotson Published: November 24, 2021

Tuskegee University and UAB Receive $13.7 Million for Faculty Recruitment

Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama. Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

In Summary

UAB and Tuskegee University have received millions to help bolster recruitment in faculty for early-career scientists with a track record of working towards inclusion.

Tuskegee University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham received a $13.7 million grant to hire 12 new research faculty members across both institutions.

The grant was made possible through a partnership between universities and the National Institution of Health’s program called the Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation, or FIRST, partnership. The goal is to further support both institutions in building a self-reinforcing community of scientists by recruiting early career faculty with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

As stated in a press release from UAB, faculty will be hired to represent areas of research strength and opportunity in both institutions, including cancer, diabetes and neuroscience.

Tuskegee University released a statement stating that it looks to build on its relationship with UAB, quoting Tuskegee President Charlotte P. Morris.

“Tuskegee University and UAB have longstanding and productive partnerships in research and the development of faculty scientists,” Morris said.

UAB and Tuskegee scientists will be given a comprehensive support infrastructure including sponsors, mentors, professional coaches, along with other developmental resources.

The program will designate newly hired scientists as Benjamin-Carver Scientists in honor of two barrier-breaking leaders—18th U.S. Surgeon General and Heersink School of Medicine alumna Regina Benjamin, M.D., and research scientist and Tuskegee faculty member George Washington Carver—UAB also added in the press release.