UNC Charlotte awarded R1 Carnegie Classification The highest recognition for Research Universities

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The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has been awarded esteemed Research 1 – or R1 –  status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is the highest recognition that a doctoral university can receive. 

The prestigious classification, indicating “very high research activity,” affirms UNC Charlotte as an elite research institution. With this designation, Charlotte (and East Carolina University, whose R1 designation is also announced today) joins the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and Duke University as the only universities in North Carolina in this category.

“Achieving R1 status reflects our commitment to establish Charlotte as a top-tier research institution,” said Chancellor Sharon Gaber. “This milestone is the result of the dedication and innovation of our faculty and staff, whose work attracts top talent and critical support. It also fuels economic growth, with research investments driving a fivefold return, strengthening the regional workforce and contributing to Charlotte’s economy. This achievement is a win not only for our University but for our region.”

Exceeding Expectations

With today’s announcement, 187 degree-granting, postsecondary institutions in the United States are classified by Carnegie as top-tier doctoral research universities. Defined as at the forefront of research and innovation, institutions with R1 designation offer extensive doctoral programs, attract and retain field-leading faculty, and draw significant public and private funding.

Criteria for 2025 R1 status include annual institutional spending of at least $50 million on research and development, and awarding at least 70 research doctorates per year. UNC Charlotte exceeds those thresholds with research expenditures for fiscal year 2023 totaling $92 million, and by awarding an average of 160 doctoral degrees each year.  

The ascension to top-tier status reflects the progress Charlotte has made over the past several years toward achieving its stated research goals: 

• Among the country’s fastest-growing research universities, climbing 46 spots in 2023 to the top 20% (NSF HERD)
  • Top 20% for computer and information sciences
  • Top 30% for social sciences, physics, engineering, chemistry
• Third-largest public research university in North Carolina, and the only public university in the state to rank among the nation’s most innovative schools (2025 U.S. News & World Report)
• 66 faculty members with $1 million or more in external grant funding
• 2020-24: 146 new inventions created, 239 patents filed, 18 spin-out companies created; top five nationally per research dollar spent for patents filed and new startups
• 10 internally funded research centers and 11 UNC System centers and institutes; extensive laboratory- and field-based research by hundreds of faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate researchers
• Leading CO-LAB, part of the city of Charlotte’s AI-cybersecurity-energy-focused North Tryon Tech Hub, where entrepreneurs and innovators source University expertise for solving real-world challenges.

“Carnegie R1 designation is synonymous with academic excellence, research innovation and impact, the catalysts for research breakthroughs that lead to new technologies, businesses and economic growth,” said John Daniels, vice chancellor for research. “UNC Charlotte — the region’s leading research university — is making a difference where it matters most to the Queen City and its workforce: health care and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, energy, data science, cybersecurity, AI, business leadership, arts and culture, and more.”

The Carnegie Classification was developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1970 as a way to distinguish institutions for educational and research purposes; classifications are updated and released every three years. It is managed by the American Council on Education.

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