Howard and Georgetown Universities have been awarded a $27 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

According to HBCUbuzz.com, the award is a renewal of a grant the school already holds.

“The NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences awarded a five-year renewal of the prestigious Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) to Georgetown University and Howard University on Aug. 28.”

Studies conducted jointly by the schools totaled “more than 440” since its inception back in 2010. The article states that communities in the area will have input into “research priorities and representation of underserved groups in clinical research studies, thereby ensuring the validity and relevance of results to broad communities.”

“In addition to supporting the infrastructure necessary to speed advances in health care, the award supports the training of clinical investigators and provides training in translational science to predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees at Georgetown and Howard, ensuring future success in the field of translational research.”

The two schools have received nearly $60 million in grant money and the award will allow both institutions to continue to serve low-income communities.

“During the first five years of funding, more than 440 studies that benefited from GHUCCTS support were published: from pilot grants, to bioinformatics and biostatistical advice, to use of core laboratories across all five GHUCCTS institutions.”

The importance of grants like these to underserved communities is vital. Health is intrinsically linked to education and awareness and the partnership between the NIH and these universities should lead to a lot of breakthroughs when it comes to minority health.

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