About

What is the Hopkins-Morgan HBCU Consortium?

The Hopkins-Morgan HBCU Consortium (HMHC) is a consortium of eight universities led by Johns Hopkins University (JHU), working together on research projects with the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) Gaithersburg, Maryland campus through NIST’s Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). The consortium, previously known as the Hopkins NIST PREP Consortium (HNPC), comprises its three original universities—Johns Hopkins University (consortium lead), Morgan State University, and Binghamton University—as well as five newly added and eagerly welcomed Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)—Bowie State University, Coppin State University, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Tuskegee University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. For more information about each university, visit the Consortium page.

Larry Nagahara, Vice Dean for Research and Translation at JHU’s Whiting School of Engineering (WSE), is the PI for this effort and was supported in the proposal process by WSE’s Office of Research and Translation (OR&T). Funded by an award of up to $81 million, HMHC will be led by JHU WSE under Nagahara, with Morgan State University acting as sub-lead for the five new HBCU’s as head of the HBCU hub. For more information about the HBCU hub, including its active opportunities, visit Morgan State University’s HMHC page.

Rotating gears organized to explain the structure of the Hopkins-Morgan HBCU Consortium (HMHC). Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is represented by the largest cog as it is the overall consortium lead. To the right of the JHU cog is the Binghamton University cog, and to the left of the JHU cog is the Morgan State University (MSU) cog. MSU leads the HBCU hub, so it is surrounded by smaller cogs representing the other HBCUs in the consortium: Bowie State University, Coppin State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Tuskegee University. — The above diagram helps to explain the structure of HMHC and its member universities.

What is NIST PREP?

HMHC’s collaboration with NIST PREP will combine educational programs with real-world experiences to help students understand industry demands and advance measurement science. The five-year program will involve undergraduate and graduate students as well as bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, post-doctoral and senior research fellows, and academic affiliates. The program aims to facilitate more students choosing careers in scientific research—particularly those from underrepresented groups—and to bolster NIST and the wider research community by providing direct access to a broad pool of talent that can enrich innovation and problem solving approaches not only through their knowledge and capabilities, but also through diverse perspectives and experiences. For more information about NIST PREP, visit the NIST website.

What does this program do?

PREP will give students at varied stages of their education the opportunity to work at NIST labs alongside NIST scientists in a real-world setting. All participating students are paid a stipend or salary and some students will receive tuition as well (depending on matriculation stage), all funded by NIST PREP.

PREP will also provide unique opportunities for collaborative research between NIST scientists and university faculty. Areas of interest include (but may not be limited to) materials sciences, bioeconomics, marine sciences, nanotechnology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum science, and bioenvironmental and sustainability sciences.

A blend of on-site, hybrid, and remote opportunities will be available.

How can I participate?

Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, and Postdocs

Students and postdocs have two primary options in seeking a NIST PREP position through HMHC and JHU:

Complete the interest form. All submissions are evaluated based on qualification criteria and the availability of positions at NIST. HMHC staff will be in touch if a fitting opportunity arises at NIST.
Monitor the positions posted to the Opportunities page, and apply to any that you believe to be a good fit.

Students and postdocs interested in the program must qualify for one of the following categories. Click each to expand for more details.

Undergraduate Students

Students enrolled full-time in a two-year or four-year degree program at an accredited U.S. academic institution seeking an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. Must be in good academic standing, be enrolled full-time, and have a faculty reference. Can work a maximum of 10 hours per week during the academic year (and full time during summer) for as long as they are enrolled in their university or college.

Undergraduate students are eligible to collaborate with NIST as PREP researchers for five (5) years in this category. PREP researchers in the undergraduate student category may request one (1) additional year of eligibility under extenuating circumstances. The extension is subject to approval by NIST and the recipient and must show compelling evidence for requesting the eligibility.

Graduate Students

Students enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. academic institution seeking a master’s degree or doctoral degree. Must be in good academic standing, be enrolled full-time, and have a faculty reference. Can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year, but are permitted to work full time during summer.

PREP researchers in the graduate student category are eligible for three (3) years as master’s degree seeking students and six (6) years as doctoral degree students. PREP researchers in the graduate student category may request one (1) additional year of eligibility under extenuating circumstances. The extension is subject to approval by NIST and the recipient and must show compelling evidence for requesting the eligibility.

Individuals with Bachelor's or Master's Degrees

An individual holding a bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degree from an accredited U.S. academic institution who is engaged in temporary mentored research and/or scholarly training to acquire the skills necessary to pursue a career path of their choice. Additionally, these individuals are not allowed to enroll in a degree seeking program at any university/college in the United States or abroad during their time participating in this category.

Bachelor’s degree holders or master’s degree holders are eligible to collaborate as PREP researchers for three (3) and five (5) years, respectively.

Post-Doctoral Fellows

An individual holding a doctoral degree for five (5) years or less who is engaged in temporary mentored research and/or scholarly training to acquire the skills necessary to pursue a career path of their choice.

Post-doctoral fellows are eligible to collaborate as PREP researchers for five (5) years in this category.

Faculty

Faculty members have three primary options in seeking a NIST PREP position through HMHC and JHU:

Complete the interest form. Your submission will be kept on file so that HMHC can contact you when a relevant position becomes available.
- In the event that a lab head from NIST reaches out to JHU to identify suitable candidates to fulfil a specific opening, HMHC staff will refer first to any interest forms that have been submitted to find a match before conducting additional outreach (first to JHU and HMHC research communities, then beyond).
Monitor the positions posted to the Opportunities page, and apply to any that you believe to be a good fit.
- You are also welcome to contact the HMHC administrative team for assistance reaching out to potential NIST sponsors.
Identify potential NIST sponsors (see NIST’s Projects/Programs listing) and send them an email introducing yourself and your research, and mentioning your interest in a NIST PREP collaboration. Copy HMHC@jhu.edu on all introductory emails so program staff can help facilitate.

Faculty interested in the program must qualify for one of the following categories. Click each to expand for more details.

Senior Research Fellows

An individual holding a doctoral degree for more than five (5) years.

PREP researchers participating as senior research fellows are eligible to collaborate with NIST on research projects for five (5) years in this category.

Academic Affiliates

Individuals holding appointments at academic institutions. These appointments include, but are not limited to, the following designations: faculty, research faculty, adjunct faculty, research associates, instructors, and lecturers.

There is not a term limitation for this category.

About NIST Gaithersburg

A low angle photo of the Admin 101 Building on NIST's Gaithersburg, Maryland campus. The building is tall with many windows, and the sky in the background is blue with few clouds. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was created in 1901 to improve the domestic measurement infrastructure that lagged behind the capabilities of the United Kingdom, Germany, and other economic rivals at the time. It has since become the foundational source of technology, measurement, and standards for many of the products and services the United States relies on, including the smart electric power grid, atomic clocks, and computer chips. The Gaithersburg, Maryland campus has served as NIST’s headquarters since 1961. It sprawls over 578 acres and houses several facilities, including the National Fire Research Laboratory; the Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility; and the expansive NIST Advanced Measurement Laboratory Complex, which is home to the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology.