The University of Missouri-Kansas City has set an ambitious goal for itself: achieving the prestigious Carnegie Research 1 designation.
As a Research 2, or R2, institution, UMKC already has achieved recognition for its “high” research activity. However, recent dramatic growth in its research enterprise has put UMKC within reach of the coveted R1 designation. From 2018-2023, UMKC more than doubled its total research expenditures and almost quadrupled its total research and sponsored grants.
With research growth continuing to rise, UMKC leaders anticipate that they might be named an R1 institution as soon as Spring 2025, based on Carnegie criteria. That would put UMKC in very elite company. In the past, only 146 of approximately 2,800 four-year institutions in the United States have held R1 status.
“Achieving the R1 designation would reflect our constant pursuit of excellence,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “But just as important, it would mark a key milestone in our journey as a world-class research institution and bring a host of benefits not only to the university but the entire greater Kansas City community.”
Why does achieving R1 status matter? Here are some of the key benefits for the campus and community:
1. Attracting additional world-class faculty and students
Achieving R1 status will make UMKC even more attractive to top-tier faculty and students from around the world. The prestige associated with R1 universities has traditionally served as a magnet for people seeking to work and study at the cutting edge of their fields.
2. Accelerating knowledge creation, innovation and entrepreneurship
An R1 designation indicates that an institution is investing in people and infrastructure to accelerate the creation of new knowledge to better serve society.
3. Enhancing the educational experience for students
Faculty engaged in research generate new knowledge that can enrich and advance the education students receive in the classroom and in applied experiences outside the classroom.
“Attaining R1 status will allow us to unlock new opportunities for our students,” said UMKC Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jennifer Lundgren. “For example, to help increase opportunities for students and support our goals for research growth, we’re launching eight new PhD programs. Those new programs will help us attract talented graduate students to work with faculty researchers in key programs, a win-win for both students and faculty.”
4. Increasing engagement with community partners and industry
An R1 ranking for UMKC would be the first for a Kansas City university and would elevate an already strong record of research partnerships to meet critical local and regional needs. UMKC’s status would enhance opportunities to attract increased funding and, ultimately, could lead to economic gains and job growth in the region.
“One of the things that’s impressed me the most about UMKC is the growth in its research enterprise,” said Dennis Ridenour, president and CEO of BioNexus KC. “That growth is making it easier to attract really world-class research talent in the region, and it’s also having an impact on the community as a whole.”
5. Boosting national prestige
Becoming an R1 institution will put UMKC in the top tier of universities nationally. In addition, the new designation will create opportunities to partner with other R1 institutions across the nation, which can lead to more research funding opportunities and partnerships with other elite institutions.
“Our achievements in growing the research enterprise showcase the adaptability, dedication and collaborative spirit of our exceptional UMKC researchers,” said Vice Chancellor for Research Sumeet Dua. “Our research advances accelerate the creation of new knowledge, benefiting our community and enriching our students' classroom experiences.”
Kansas City community leaders are taking note of UMKC research.
“UMKC has elevated its research tremendously in recent years, and achieving R1 status will make Kansas City an even greater place to work and live,” said Charlie Shields, president and CEO of University Health and chair elect of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “Not only will an R1 status for UMKC mean more innovation, discoveries and solutions, it will result in new funding, businesses and jobs for our region.”
For more on UMKC achievements in research from FY22-23, check out the UMKC Research Annual Report.