Center for Innovation in the College of Medicine
Center for Innovation in the College of Medicine
General Information
Who We Are
The Center for Innovation (CFI) serves as Howard University College of Medicine's centralized research consultancy and structured innovation hub. We strengthen early-stage research development, operationalize health equity, and support faculty and students at every stage of the research and innovation lifecycle, from early concept development through implementation, grounded in three core pillars: Research Consultancy and Strategic Development, Biodesign for Health Equity, and Data and Analytics Infrastructure. Guided by a five-year strategic plan (2026–2031), CFI transforms bold ideas into implementation-ready solutions that close persistent gaps in health outcomes.
Our Mission
CFI advances a culture of innovation that empowers faculty and students to reimagine medical education, research, and healthcare delivery through interdisciplinary collaboration, data rigor, and sustained community engagement, ensuring that innovation at Howard is not just novel but equitable in its reach and impact.
Why CFI Matters
Health innovation too often stalls before it reaches the people, it's meant to help. CFI closes that gap by strengthening Howard University College of Medicine's research competitiveness, building interdisciplinary collaborations, operationalizing health equity, and translating research into measurable community impact. Through strategic partnerships, such as our collaboration with Stanford Biodesign, CFI connects Howard's research community to national training and funding networks that expand what our faculty and students can achieve.