The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) is proud to announce its recognition in the prestigious Carnegie classification as a Research College and University (RCU). This designation highlights the institution's commitment to advancing research and development, and its significant contribution to the academic and scientific community.
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the nation’s leading framework for categorizing the wide array of U.S. higher education institutions. UMD’s Research Activity Designation was determined based on annual research expenditures totaling $25,534,000 for FY23, which exceeds the category’s base requirements of at least $2.5 million by ten times.
Carnegie is announcing a total of 219 institutions in this group, with UMD one of five institutions in Minnesota to receive this designation. In total, the Carnegie Classifications include six Minnesota institutions with some type of research designation (R1, R2 or RCU).
UMD has demonstrated excellence in research through its innovative projects, committed researchers, and state-of-the-art facilities. This recognition underscores the institution's role in fostering a vibrant research environment and its dedication to addressing complex global challenges.
"We are honored to be recognized in the Carnegie Classification as a Research College and University," said UMD Chancellor Charles Nies. "We've always known we're a research powerhouse and now we're getting this recognition on the national stage. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and student scholars who make this possible. It also reaffirms our commitment to advancing knowledge and making a positive impact on society."
UMD’s research initiatives span a wide range of disciplines. From engineering and infrastructure, to roads and natural resources, to work that furthers our understanding of water, the arts, plants, animals, and even the cosmos, researchers at UMD are translating local discovery into regional and worldwide impact. UMD drives innovation and contributes to the broader community. As a Research College and University, UMD will continue to prioritize research excellence by supporting faculty and student endeavors, and seeking opportunities for collaboration and funding to further enhance its capabilities.
This recognition builds on UMD’s recent achievement of the 2024 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement. UMD earned the honor alongside all five of the University of Minnesota System campuses, making the U of M the country's first and only university system at which every individual campus received this selective six-year designation.
Previously, the Research Activity Designations were part of the Basic Classification; however, the new Institutional Classification will not incorporate research in its methodology. For that reason, the 2025 Research Activity Designations are now published separately.
For more information about UMD and a small sampling of recent research initiatives, please visit research.d.umn.edu.
Header Image: A researcher from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) collects a water sample near the UMD campus. Credit: University of Minnesota Duluth