2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Recent studies recognize the pivotal role that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played in educating generations of underrepresented engineers and scientists, particularly African Americans. However, their role in advancing research innovation—particularly in the context of commercialization—has been relatively neglected. In recent years, the engineering research and innovation landscape has evolved rapidly, with commercialization becoming a crucial pathway for translating academic discoveries into market products. This is where HBCUs have a unique opportunity to emerge as key players in the innovation ecosystem.
Our motivation for this review stems from the growing recognition that HBCUs, despite their historical significance, often face challenges in funding, infrastructure, and access to industry partnerships—factors essential to driving successful research commercialization. Thus, this study aims to explore the emerging role of HBCUs in engineering research innovation, commercialization, and identify key strategies that can enhance their participation in this vital process. The central focus is on exploring how HBCUs can bridge the gap between academic research and market-driven innovation. By analyzing current trends and existing frameworks for commercializing engineering research, we highlight how HBCUs can leverage their institutional strengths, such as strong ties to their communities, diverse student bodies, and commitment to educational access, to contribute meaningfully to the commercialization of engineering research. This work is particularly relevant in the context of broader efforts to diversify the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce and ensure that traditionally underrepresented institutions have equitable access to innovation and commercialization pathways. Moreover, we contribute to the growing discourse on the role of inclusion in the innovation ecosystem by showcasing how HBCUs can serve as pivotal nodes in the commercialization process. We employ a comprehensive literature review of academic and industry sources to examine innovation commercialization in higher education institutions, particularly those serving underrepresented populations. By analyzing research studies, case reports, and industry white papers, we identify key factors contributing to the successful commercialization of engineering research. Our review emphasizes factors such as funding models, university–industry partnerships, intellectual property (IP) management, and student involvement in commercialization activities. Furthermore, we delve into case studies of HBCUs that have successfully commercialized engineering research, providing valuable insights and best practices that can be adapted by other institutions. Our findings indicate that while HBCUs encounter substantial obstacles in their commercialization efforts, they also possess distinctive strengths that can be harnessed to catalyze innovation. In conclusion, by identifying key enablers and barriers, we provide insights into how HBCUs can strategically position themselves as innovative institutions in engineering. These findings have implications for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders who can collaborate to create supportive environments that foster innovation and commercialization at HBCUs. Ultimately, we underscore the critical importance of diversity and inclusion in the innovation process and recommend that empowering HBCUs to commercialize their research would benefit the entire STEM ecosystem by enabling advancements in science and engineering.