The , recently finalized, once more has鈥� designated UofL a 鈥�Research 1鈥� doctoral university with very high research activity. UofL is one of only 146 universities 鈥� roughly 4% of those considered 鈥� to receive this designation.听听

鈥淯ofL is a research powerhouse, and our consistent Research 1 designation is proof-positive of that fact,鈥� said Interim President Lori Gonzalez. 鈥淥ur strength and growth in research is made possible by our faculty and staff, and their work to expand knowledge and tackle the grand challenges impacting the human condition.鈥澨�听

In the past fiscal year, 2020-2021, UofL brought in a record $201.5 million in competitive research funding and had $200.4 million in expenditures. That funding supported groundbreaking research to address the biggest global problems of our time, including climate change and providing robotic solutions for manufacturing, health care and logistics challenges.听

鈥淐arnegie R1 status is highly competitive and is evidence of our dedication and commitment to research and graduate education,鈥� said Kevin Gardner, UofL鈥檚 executive vice president for research and innovation. 鈥�This continued designation shows our commitment to ensuring the work we do here at UofL has an impact here in our community and beyond.鈥�听

In addition to being a Research 1 institution, UofL also holds the Carnegie community-engaged designation, which recognizes institutions that work with community partners to exchange knowledge and resources for public benefit. UofL is one of just 79 U.S. institutions to hold both designations.听

UofL鈥檚 dedication to community-engaged research has been especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when UofL researchers partnered with the community to lead widespread testing, develop and implement innovative wastewater monitoring methods, and further products that address the long-term health, economic and societal problems caused by the virus.听听

鈥淣ot only are we expanding the horizons of what鈥檚 considered possible,鈥� Gardner said, 鈥渂ut we鈥檙e working hand-in-hand with our partners to use that knowledge to the benefit of our community. This is research with a reason; it鈥檚 innovation with impact.鈥�听

Carnegie鈥檚 ranking is considered highly prestigious in the higher education community. UofL is one of only 120 U.S. institutions to achieve the highest ranking in this latest survey, which is based on the 2016-17 academic year.

鈥淭his designation validates the hard work of our faculty, staff and students to make discoveries that change, improve and even save lives鈥� said UofL鈥檚 Interim Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation Robert Keynton. 鈥淚t also validates our continuing efforts to develop the next generation of researchers and innovators.鈥澨�

Schools that conferred 20 or more research/scholarship doctoral degrees and had at least $5 million in research spending are considered for the top Research 1 designation. UofL awarded 159 research/scholarship doctoral degrees and had more than $177 million in research expenditures in 2016-17.