NODE aimed to understand these questions through research utilizing a data driven approach, leveraging publicly available information to study what makes HSIs unique among institutions of higher learning. This research also examines what makes HSI different from each other – recognizing that they exist and are organized in variety of ways, each dedicated to the particular communities and students they serve.

The NODE project also aimed to appraise the broad value and impact of the NSF HSI-Program, investigating the institutions and communities in which they occur, in addition to the projects themselves, which represent an broad array of activities and initiatives.