Florida Atlantic: Road to R1

Florida Atlantic University is on the precipice of achieving the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s highest and most coveted status — R1: Very High Research Activity.

Fewer than 150 institutions in the United States have the prestigious R1 designation, which is indicative of a truly comprehensive university that spurs economic development, attracts high-quality students and faculty, and increases external funding. R1 universities meet benchmarks in research, educational activity and vital research staffing, as measured by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

“Over the past decade, the Florida Atlantic Board of Trustees and senior leadership remained committed to critical investments in research infrastructure and talent acquisition which led to this pivotal milestone in our growth trajectory,” said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., interim vice president for research. “Our research is largely aimed at addressing the country’s most pressing challenges: coastal security, clean energy, and advances in disease diagnosis and treatment. The continued success we are seeing with major federal awards from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health points to the rapid acceleration of our research enterprise.”

The classification measures universities across multiple indicators, including research expenditures in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and non-STEM fields, as well as doctorates with a research emphasis awarded in STEM fields, social sciences and humanities.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching reviews existing R1 designations and new applications every three years, with the next adjustment expected in 2025. R1 universities are required to meet benchmarks including spending at least $50 million on research and development and producing at least 70 research doctorates each year. Florida Atlantic will transition to R1 in 2025 based on 2023 research expenditures of $67.25 million and 125 doctoral graduates.