Who Is Funding the Science That's Too Early for Venture Capital?
April 22, 2026
Howard University
#169 in Universities
169Institution Overview
Overall
Ranking
169
165
Rank in
Research Capabilities
170
Rank in
Entrepreneurial Readiness
158
Rank in
Market Translation
Washington D.C., DC
Howard University, located in Washington, D.C., ranks 169th among universities in the Cure Innovation Index. The university shows its strongest positioning in Market Translation, with Research Capabilities and Entrepreneurial Readiness following closely. Its profile leans toward discovery, reflecting a foundation in biomedical science. Howard offers an MD/MBA dual degree, connecting clinical training with business preparation. As a historically Black university in the U.S. capital, Howard has served for decades as a training ground for scientists from underrepresented communities.
Ranking Metrics
Research Capabilities
Howard University ranked below average for Research Capabilities, a measure of the foundational infrastructure and resources that enable an institution to conduct high-quality, innovative science. Out of the factors in this category, Howard University fared best in Funding Support.
Learn MoreEntrepreneurial Readiness
Howard University ranked below average for Entrepreneurial Readiness, a measure of whether the institution has built a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and whether faculty are engaged in and incentivized toward commercial activity. Out of the factors in this category, Howard University fared best in Ecosystem Support.
Learn MoreMarket Translation
Howard University ranked below average for Market Translation, a measure of how effectively a research institution moves scientific discovery out of the lab and into real-world clinical and commercial applications. Out of the factors in this category, Howard University fared best in Industry Connections.
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Cure Innovation Index Methodology
From a pool of more than 6,000 institutions, the top 303 were ranked using two dozen indicators — from scientific foundation and lab infrastructure to patents, products, and partnerships — drawn from more than a dozen federal and commercial databases, an original audit of all institutions, and surveys of more than 3,300+ scientists, industry leaders, and biomedical experts.
Insights From the Cure Innovation Index
Explore by Category
Innovation isn't a single moment — it's an entire ecosystem. The Index evaluates institutions across two dozen indicators, grouped in three core domains that reveal the full picture of what it takes to turn groundbreaking science into real-world impact.
