R1 Designation
R1 Proud
For decades, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý has served Kansas City as its top public research university. Now we have achieved the nation's top research designation, Carnegie Research 1. Of 2,832 four-year-degree universities in the United States, only 187 have received Carnegie R1 status. That puts us in the top tier of universities conducting groundbreaking research.
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý is Kansas City’s Only R1 University
Regional public R1 universities include the University of Missouri, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. Other notable R1 universities include Columbia, Georgetown, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Stanford and Yale.
6%
Percentage of colleges nationwide, including public, private and Ivy League schools awarded with the prestigious R1 designation
$55M
In fiscal year 2023 research expenditures, $5M more than required for R1 designation per the 2025 Carnegie Classification System
134
Number of research doctorates awarded, 64 more than required for R1 designation
Top Tier Status with Double Carnegie Designations
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, with its combined Carnegie R1 and Carnegie Elective Community Engagement classifications, is part of an even more elite national group.
We are in the top 3% of four-year institutions nationwide
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý is one of only 98 four-year U.S. institutions to earn both Carnegie R1 and Carnegie Elective Community Engagement classifications. That’s 3% of all universities in the nation. The Carnegie Elective Community Engagement Classification evaluates the collaboration between universities and the broader community to share knowledge and resources, building true partnerships that tackle important community challenges and contribute to the greater good.
New Opportunities for Kansas City and Our Campus Community
Becoming an R1 university brings a wealth of benefits. From attracting new faculty to creating economic impact for KC, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý's R1 designation creates tangible impacts across our city.
Kansas City impact
Local economic development experts say the new R1 distinction is critical for Kansas City as it continues to elevate its brand in attracting world-class corporations, culture and talent. This new designation will help attract and create new businesses and jobs.
Faculty impact
Achieving R1 status helps the university retain and attract leading faculty within their fields. Earning the R1 designation helps ÐÔÊӽ紫ý receive additional funding for top-tier, impactful research. It also creates opportunities to collaborate with other R1 institutions.
Student impact
Students will be taught by some of the best and brightest researchers in the nation. They will experience engaged mentorship and robust research opportunities infused with new knowledge from faculty research. Studies show students who are exposed to research earn better grades and achieve better career outcomes.
High-Caliber Research at ÐÔÊӽ紫ý
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý has research strengths and focus areas in health, defense, cybersecurity, digital humanities and more.
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30 Sep 2024 | $8.3 million grant is largest NIH award in university history Read full story ÐÔÊӽ紫ý and Saint Luke’s to Lead Nationwide Study on Pregnant People with Heart Disease to Combat Maternal Deaths and Illnesses
Medieval Nuns Make History
9 Sep 2024 | World-renowned ÐÔÊӽ紫ý researcher is making ancient texts available for next generation Read full story Medieval Nuns Make History
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý is the First University to Partner with U.S. Cyber Command
15 May 2024 | The agreement will provide new opportunities for research and collaboration Read full story ÐÔÊӽ紫ý is the First University to Partner with U.S. Cyber Command
Take It From Us
The R1 designation is a game-changer for not only ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, but Kansas City as a whole.
The Carnegie R1 designation for ÐÔÊӽ紫ý is very important because it is an external validation of our existing research excellence.
Mauli Agrawal
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Chancellor
It’s everything for Kansas City to have a university with an R1 designation. It's going to shine a spotlight on the work that we do here at ÐÔÊӽ紫ý. It's going to bring talent to our community. It's going to create new ideas that our companies can take out of the university and build new items, products and support services for our community.
Maria Meyers
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Vice Chancellor for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship
This R1 research status is going to help elevate not just ÐÔÊӽ紫ý in Kansas City in the world, but Kansas City in the world as we elevate our brand as a city in so many different ways.
Tim Cowden
President and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council