Feb. 13, 2025 — The University of Memphis has kept its distinction as a Carnegie R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, maintaining its place among the top research universities in the nation.
The Carnegie Classification has been published since 1973. It is the leading framework for categorizing U.S. higher education institutions and is updated every three years. The UofM received a Carnegie R1 designation for the first time in 2021.
“Carnegie R1 status has gone from an aspirational goal to an expectation in short order at our institution,” said UofM President Bill Hardgrave. “This serves as a testament to the ability of our hard-working research faculty and staff. As we look to the future, we are excited to see how our research enterprise will continue to grow and enhance our ability as leaders in innovation on a national level.”
Impact-driven research is directly tied to the mission of the University, along with success-driven education. In 2023, the Ascend strategic plan unveiled seven goals — Goal 4 is to strengthen the University’s research enterprise.
Since then, the UofM has more than doubled its research awards in the last two fiscal years going from $48 million in FY22 to $101 million in FY24.
“We are honored to again be recognized as a Carnegie R1 institution,” said Jasbir Dhaliwal, UofM executive vice president of Research & Innovation. “The UofM, together with UTK and Vanderbilt, are the only traditional four-year top-tier R1 research universities in Tennessee — one each in the three grand divisions of the state.”
“This serves as a testament to the ability of our hard-working research faculty and staff. As we look to the future, we are excited to see how our research enterprise will continue to grow and enhance our ability as leaders in innovation on a national level.”
-UofM President Bill Hardgrave
The University is quickly establishing itself among its peers in research funding, recently surpassing the $100 million benchmark in research awards during the fall of 2024. It has also launched new purposeful and impactful research centers and institutes poised to unlock new discoveries, including the Center for Electrified and Automated Trucking (CEAT), the Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education (ACRE) and the Memphis Institute of National Defense Sciences (MINDS).
“ The UofM is holding steadfast to its research goals with improvements and expansion of its research infrastructure, recently evidenced by the opening of the Edwards Research and Innovation Center (ERIC). The 65,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building houses STEM centers and labs — bringing vital space for research collaboration across campus.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Trent Shadid
tshadid@memphis.edu
901.678.3811
