UL Lafayette again earns Carnegie’s prestigious R1 designation

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has again earned the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s prestigious R1 designation, which is evaluated every three years.

R1 status places UL Lafayette among the nation’s top tier of public and private research institutions, those with “very high research spending and doctorate production,” according to a recent report from Carnegie. The American Council of Education produces the Carnegie Classification.

About 5%, or 187, of the nation’s colleges and universities have R1 status, which is synonymous with academic excellence, research, innovation and global impact.

To earn the R1 designation, institutions must spend at least $50 million on research and development and award at least 70 research doctorates. UL Lafayette’s research expenditures were more than $225 million. The University awarded 85 doctorates. 

“Earning our place among the country’s top research universities once again is a testament to our faculty, staff and student researchers whose scholarship and innovation draws national and international attention to our University,” said Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president.

Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, the University’s vice president for Research, Innovation and Economic Development, said the benefits of R1 status extend beyond research labs and classrooms.

The designation further attracts exemplary faculty members, researchers and students; paves the way for new academic degrees and programs; offers added heft to graduates’ degrees; bolsters partnerships with industry seeking established sources of intellectual capital; can influence policymakers and lawmakers; and inspires philanthropy.

An ongoing focus on many of those areas will be guided by UL Lafayette’s Vision 2030 Research Engines, a component of the University’s strategic plan that is focused on increasing research expenditures and scholarly productivity across all disciplines.

“Vision 2030 Research Engines helps to drive workforce development, economic development, and human development outcomes across all of Louisiana and beyond,” Kolluru explained.

“So going forward, retaining our R1 status will rely on the same continued focus on excellence that has gotten us to this point. And that in no small part will include by strengthening, investing into, supporting and growing our doctoral capacity, students and programs,” he added.

Photo caption: The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has again earned the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s prestigious R1 designation, which is evaluated every three years. R1 status places UL Lafayette among the nation’s top tier of public and private research institutions. Photo credit: Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette