NSPAA was established in December 1993 with the mission to aid Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the efficiency and effectiveness of sponsored program administration. The organization provides technical assistance workshops, conferences, training, and service activities, which have formed a collaborative sponsored research community of HBCUs that address and share particular needs facing HBCUs. The main goal of NSPAA is to gain visibility, and broaden its membership base within the HBCU sponsored research community. NSPAA-HBCU’s Inc. was co-founded by Mr. Marvin H. Watkins, formerly of North Carolina A&T State University and Dr. Franklin D. Hamilton, formerly of Florida A&M University.
NSPAA is an enthusiastic organization that recognizes the vital role that research administrators play in helping their institutions secure external funding. The network of HBCU administrators developed by NSPAA has gone a long way toward promoting the specialized interests of HBCUs and furthering communication among these institutions. As the NSPAA organization grows, so does its association with federal offices and private nongovernmental entities. This interaction has proved to be essential in empowering HBCUs to remain competitive in the research arena and to stay abreast of current developments in sponsored research.
NSPAA provides assistance and services to the membership funding agencies and others by way of
its Annual Technical Assistance Workshops, which include Advance Workshop Series and Technical
Help Seminars, Networking Opportunities and Publications. The Alliance frequently collaborates on opportunities available to HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions, The Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and organizations such as MAXIMUS and Tougaloo College Research & Development Foundation often support training seminars, which help members earn professional certification as Certified Research Administrators through the Research Administrator Certification Council.