FAMU took another step in its effort to expand its research footprint and elevate its national academic standing on Thursday, when the university's Board of Trustees approved a proposal for a new Ph.D. program in biology with a specialized focus on cancer research.
The new doctoral program, will be developed in partnership with the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, now moves to the Florida Board of Governors for final approval. If authorized, university officials say the program could begin in 2027 with an inaugural cohort of 15 doctoral candidates.
The proposal reflects FAMU's growing ambitions to strengthen its biomedical research enterprise while positioning itself among the nation's leading research universities. University leaders have increasingly pointed to research growth and producing more Ph.D. graduates as a cornerstone of their long-term strategy to achieve Carnegie R1 status, a designation reserved for institutions with the highest levels of research activity.
Under the plan, students would receive advanced training in cancer biology and biomedical sciences while working closely with researchers at Moffitt, one of the nation's premier cancer centers. The program would also expose students to the business and innovation side of scientific discovery, including intellectual property development, patent awareness and the commercialization of emerging biomedical technologies.
University officials said the partnership is expected to generate new research opportunities, attract external funding and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations across campus.
"The program will significantly enhance FAMU's research enterprise through expanded resources, increased research activity and strategic partnerships that connect scientific discovery to innovation and economic development," university administrators told trustees during Thursday's meeting.
The initiative builds on an existing relationship with Moffitt. Currently, where three FAMU alumni are serving as post-baccalaureate researchers at the cancer center, providing what university leaders describe as an early pipeline for future doctoral students and biomedical researchers.
To support the new degree program, FAMU plans to hire three additional faculty members with expertise in cancer-related fields. University officials said the new hires will help expand research capacity while strengthening graduate education in the biological sciences.
The proposed doctorate arrives as FAMU continues to invest heavily in research and graduate education. The university recently surpassed $100 million in annual sponsored research funding, a milestone that administrators have cited as evidence of the institution's growing national profile.
Trustees praised the proposal as both a workforce development initiative and a strategic investment in the university's future.
If approved by the Board of Governors, the program would become one of the few cancer-focused doctoral offerings at a historically Black university and could help expand opportunities for underrepresented students seeking careers in biomedical research.