What Does R1 Mean for Michigan Tech? | Research
Source: https://www.mtu.edu/research/about/r1/index.html
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
What Does R1 Mean for Michigan Tech? | Research
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Research
Research
R1 at Michigan Tech
Tomorrow needs pioneering research.
Tomorrow needs Michigan Tech.
What Does R1 Mean for Michigan Tech?
Michigan Technological University has officially joined the ranks of R1 research institutions—a
milestone that reflects decades of impactful work and affirms the University’s standing
as a leader in addressing critical challenges.
Michigan Tech is just the fourth R1 university in Michigan to be designated by the
Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education—joining the University
of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University—and Tech
is the only R1 institution in Michigan located in a rural area.
For decades, Michigan Tech researchers have leveraged the University's unique location
in the Keweenaw Peninsula to Tech’s advantage, pioneering interdisciplinary, place-based
research and development from campus, as well as leading and supporting impactful
work through renowned research centers and institutes in the Lower Peninsula.
Great Lakes Research Center
Keweenaw Research Center
Michigan Tech Research Institute
(Ann Arbor, Michigan)
American Center for Mobility
(Ypsilanti, Michigan)
Translational Health Engineering Research Center
(Grand Rapids, Michigan)
"Michigan Tech has world-class researchers and unique, place-based research opportunities.
We have excellent undergraduate and graduate students who use hands-on skills learned
at Michigan Tech to deliver high-impact research outcomes around the world."
Andrew Barnard, vice president for research
The momentum of Michigan Tech’s research enterprise is building on more than a century
of cutting-edge work. The hallmarks of
Michigan Tech research
since 1885—industry support, interdisciplinary collaboration, practical utility,
and innovation—will only continue to strengthen in the University’s dawning R1 era
as one of the top research universities in the United States.
300%
increase in research expenditures since 2004
$106.9M
research expenditures in FY24 (preliminary)
85
average number of research doctorates awarded annually since 2016
What does R1 status mean?
For over 50 years, the Carnegie Classification has been recognized as the nation’s
leading framework for comparing and grouping accredited and degree-granting institutions.
Carnegie’s R1 status—or Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production—is awarded
to doctoral universities for excellence in research activities at the highest level.
To obtain R1 status, universities must spend a minimum of $50 million on research
and development and award at least 70 doctoral degrees annually across research fields.
How many universities in the US are R1?
In 2025, only 187 institutions nationally are recognized as R1 universities. Tech
now officially ranks in the top 5% of the more than 4,000 degree-granting universities
in the nation.
R1—The Tech Way
Michigan Tech has long been known for delivering top-tier education at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels. The exemplary work we’re doing in research and education has
earned the University R1 classification, putting us right where we belong: among the
world's leading research institutions.
What Does R1 Mean for Students and Faculty?
R1 designation is far more than just a formal recognition of Tech’s strong research
portfolio—the designation is expected to open many new doors, including:
The ability to attract faculty and students of the highest caliber to the Husky family.
Opportunities for the University to partner with peer universities to secure larger,
more prestigious funding awards.
Expanded opportunities for Huskies to engage in undergraduate research.
Tech will continue to remain true to our founding charter while serving the needs
of Michigan industry by delivering the scholars, solutions, and technologies that
tomorrow needs.
15
research centers and institutes
8
shared facilities
303K+
square feet of research labs
Michigan Tech research impacts communities around the globe. From fields of lavender
grown on small Michigan farms to the slopes of active volcanoes in Central America,
Michigan Tech researchers devise technological solutions for society's critical challenges.
In the News
Examples of R1 Research
Turning Trash Into Treasure: The Plastic to Protein Powder Solution
–
Research Magazine
Engineers Pilot Smart Agriculture for Small Michigan Farms
–
MAE Magazine
Shedding Snow, Powering UP
–
Tech Magazine
Canis Spiritus
–
Tech Magazine
Radar and Risk in the Straits of Mackinac
–
Research Magazine
The Artemis Generation
–
Tech Magazine
Fungus Among Us: MTU Student Using Native Fungi to Weaken Invasive Trees
–
Unscripted
Recent R1 Research in the News
Can plastic waste be transformed into food for humans?
–
The Atlantic
Remote Lake Superior island wolf numbers are stable but moose population declining,
researchers say
– The Associated Press
Space, software innovation along Lake Superior: the UP’s $105M tech hub
–
MLive
Fewer fish and more algae? Scientists seek to understand impacts of historic lack
of Great Lakes ice
– The Associated Press
Michigan’s electric energy future could be wasting away in a junk drawer
–
Bridge Michigan
The food of space travel could be based on rocks
–
The New York Times
Energy storage in old mines could be the next big industry in the UP
–
MLive
"By being both agile and relentless in our pursuit of excellence, we’ve carved out
a niche in the upper echelon of higher education while remaining true to who we’ve
always been."
Rick Koubek, president
©
Skip to page content
Skip to footer navigation
Research
Research
R1 at Michigan Tech
Tomorrow needs pioneering research.
Tomorrow needs Michigan Tech.
What Does R1 Mean for Michigan Tech?
Michigan Technological University has officially joined the ranks of R1 research institutions—a
milestone that reflects decades of impactful work and affirms the University’s standing
as a leader in addressing critical challenges.
Michigan Tech is just the fourth R1 university in Michigan to be designated by the
Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education—joining the University
of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University—and Tech
is the only R1 institution in Michigan located in a rural area.
For decades, Michigan Tech researchers have leveraged the University's unique location
in the Keweenaw Peninsula to Tech’s advantage, pioneering interdisciplinary, place-based
research and development from campus, as well as leading and supporting impactful
work through renowned research centers and institutes in the Lower Peninsula.
Great Lakes Research Center
Keweenaw Research Center
Michigan Tech Research Institute
(Ann Arbor, Michigan)
American Center for Mobility
(Ypsilanti, Michigan)
Translational Health Engineering Research Center
(Grand Rapids, Michigan)
"Michigan Tech has world-class researchers and unique, place-based research opportunities.
We have excellent undergraduate and graduate students who use hands-on skills learned
at Michigan Tech to deliver high-impact research outcomes around the world."
Andrew Barnard, vice president for research
The momentum of Michigan Tech’s research enterprise is building on more than a century
of cutting-edge work. The hallmarks of
Michigan Tech research
since 1885—industry support, interdisciplinary collaboration, practical utility,
and innovation—will only continue to strengthen in the University’s dawning R1 era
as one of the top research universities in the United States.
300%
increase in research expenditures since 2004
$106.9M
research expenditures in FY24 (preliminary)
85
average number of research doctorates awarded annually since 2016
What does R1 status mean?
For over 50 years, the Carnegie Classification has been recognized as the nation’s
leading framework for comparing and grouping accredited and degree-granting institutions.
Carnegie’s R1 status—or Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production—is awarded
to doctoral universities for excellence in research activities at the highest level.
To obtain R1 status, universities must spend a minimum of $50 million on research
and development and award at least 70 doctoral degrees annually across research fields.
How many universities in the US are R1?
In 2025, only 187 institutions nationally are recognized as R1 universities. Tech
now officially ranks in the top 5% of the more than 4,000 degree-granting universities
in the nation.
R1—The Tech Way
Michigan Tech has long been known for delivering top-tier education at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels. The exemplary work we’re doing in research and education has
earned the University R1 classification, putting us right where we belong: among the
world's leading research institutions.
What Does R1 Mean for Students and Faculty?
R1 designation is far more than just a formal recognition of Tech’s strong research
portfolio—the designation is expected to open many new doors, including:
The ability to attract faculty and students of the highest caliber to the Husky family.
Opportunities for the University to partner with peer universities to secure larger,
more prestigious funding awards.
Expanded opportunities for Huskies to engage in undergraduate research.
Tech will continue to remain true to our founding charter while serving the needs
of Michigan industry by delivering the scholars, solutions, and technologies that
tomorrow needs.
15
research centers and institutes
8
shared facilities
303K+
square feet of research labs
Michigan Tech research impacts communities around the globe. From fields of lavender
grown on small Michigan farms to the slopes of active volcanoes in Central America,
Michigan Tech researchers devise technological solutions for society's critical challenges.
In the News
Examples of R1 Research
Turning Trash Into Treasure: The Plastic to Protein Powder Solution
–
Research Magazine
Engineers Pilot Smart Agriculture for Small Michigan Farms
–
MAE Magazine
Shedding Snow, Powering UP
–
Tech Magazine
Canis Spiritus
–
Tech Magazine
Radar and Risk in the Straits of Mackinac
–
Research Magazine
The Artemis Generation
–
Tech Magazine
Fungus Among Us: MTU Student Using Native Fungi to Weaken Invasive Trees
–
Unscripted
Recent R1 Research in the News
Can plastic waste be transformed into food for humans?
–
The Atlantic
Remote Lake Superior island wolf numbers are stable but moose population declining,
researchers say
– The Associated Press
Space, software innovation along Lake Superior: the UP’s $105M tech hub
–
MLive
Fewer fish and more algae? Scientists seek to understand impacts of historic lack
of Great Lakes ice
– The Associated Press
Michigan’s electric energy future could be wasting away in a junk drawer
–
Bridge Michigan
The food of space travel could be based on rocks
–
The New York Times
Energy storage in old mines could be the next big industry in the UP
–
MLive
"By being both agile and relentless in our pursuit of excellence, we’ve carved out
a niche in the upper echelon of higher education while remaining true to who we’ve
always been."
Rick Koubek, president
©