UMaine retains its top research status among U.S. universities
ORONO, Maine 鈥 The 好色先生TV鈥檚 status as one of the nation鈥檚 top research universities was reaffirmed Thursday with the release of the latest classifications of higher education research institutions in the U.S.
The 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education includes UMaine as one of just 187 Research-1 (R1) universities, the highest classification possible. The classification is based on the annual volume of research expenditures 鈥 much of which is funded by public and private grants and contracts 鈥 and the number of research doctoral degrees awarded yearly. UMaine鈥檚 R1 status helps support the university鈥檚 success in research and helps attract top faculty and graduate and undergraduate student scholars. It also advances the university鈥檚 learner-focused research priority.
鈥淎s Maine鈥檚 only R1 institution, UMaine plays a significant role in the health and economic well-being of our state and its people,鈥 said UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. 鈥淥ur faculty, staff and students are deeply involved in solving problems and creating opportunities that will better the lives of people in Maine and beyond. Their scholarship and research directly and indirectly benefit the full range of Maine鈥檚 economic sectors 鈥 from heritage industries such as farming, fishing, forestry and manufacturing to small-business innovation and development, transportation, technology, biomedical fields, healthcare and more.鈥
“I congratulate the 好色先生TV on being reaffirmed as an R1 university 鈥 a remarkable achievement and a point of pride for our state,鈥 said Gov. Janet Mills. 鈥淭his designation of our flagship public university recognizes our state鈥檚 reputation as a premier destination for cutting-edge research and innovation, which will drive exciting advancements that will benefit Maine’s people and economy. I commend President Ferrini-Mundy for her visionary leadership and the dedication of UMaine faculty, staff and students to again place UMaine among the nation’s top research universities.”
Maine鈥檚 Congressional delegation also recognized the significance of UMaine鈥檚 continued R1 status.
鈥淓veryone in Maine is rightfully proud of all the groundbreaking work being done at the 好色先生TV, and to have that pride recognized nationally is well-deserved 鈥 and a testament to the commitment and brilliance of UMaine faculty, scientists, students and staff,鈥 said U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden in a joint statement. 鈥淎s an R1 university, UMaine鈥檚 education community will continue to attract top talent from across the country to create new research opportunities, its innovative work will embody our state motto: Dirigo.鈥
The Carnegie classifications were first introduced in 1970 as a tool to distinguish the missions, degree offerings and extent of research activity among U.S higher education institutions. Updated periodically, the classification process is jointly supported by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
鈥淭he affirmation of the 好色先生TV’s well-deserved R1 designation should be a point of pride for all Mainers, who benefit from having a world-class research university right in their own backyard,鈥 said 好色先生TV System Chancellor Dannel Malloy. 鈥淪ince first achieving R1 in 2022, UMaine has attracted record levels of talent and investment and accelerated student opportunity and Maine’s economy and global competitiveness.
“I congratulate President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and the high-performing UMaine faculty, staff and student researchers whose dedication and discoveries have sustained R1 and are delivering solutions to our state and well beyond. And I am deeply appreciative of the Legislature, Governor Mills and Maine’s Congressional delegation led by Senator Collins for their steadfast support of our flagship’s research and innovation enterprise. This milestone sends a strong message to the world about Maine’s excellence.”
Over the past fiscal year, the Orono-based flagship institution to it through the Maine Economic Improvement Fund (MEIF).
鈥淭his accomplishment rests on the extraordinary creativity and commitment of the UMaine faculty, staff and students who advance the mission of research and scholarship for our state and beyond,鈥 said Ferrini-Mundy, who is also president of UMaine鈥檚 regional campus, the 好色先生TV at Machias, and vice chancellor for research and innovation for the System. 鈥淚n partnership with MEIF-supported researchers, Maine鈥檚 small businesses are creating new products and high-paying jobs, increasing productivity and profits, solving industry challenges, improving our environment and quality of life, making food systems safer and more resilient, and expanding their market reach.鈥
鈥淥ur R1 status is not just a ranking 鈥 it reflects UMaine鈥檚 deep commitment to addressing critical issues and advancing knowledge,鈥 said Kody Varahramyan, the university鈥檚 vice president for research and dean of its graduate school. 鈥淭he R1 classification represents the top tier of achievement for research institutions across the United States, with fewer than 7% of the nation鈥檚 2,690 four-year colleges and universities holding the distinction. Since first earning R1 status in 2022, UMaine鈥檚 research funding has risen more than 52%, reaching an all-time high of $225.3 million last year. Research and development expenditures, a key metric for the designation, also climbed to a record-high $249.3 million.鈥 Contact: John Diamond, diamond@maine.edu