UMaine retains its top research status among U.S. universities
ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine’s status as one of the nation’s 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 — much of which is funded by public and private grants and contracts — and the number of research doctoral degrees awarded yearly. UMaine’s R1 status helps support the university’s success in research and helps attract top faculty and graduate and undergraduate student scholars. It also advances the university’s learner-focused research priority.
“As Maine’s only R1 institution, UMaine plays a significant role in the health and economic well-being of our state and its people,” said UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “Our 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’s economic sectors — from heritage industries such as farming, fishing, forestry and manufacturing to small-business innovation and development, transportation, technology, biomedical fields, healthcare and more.”
“I congratulate the University of Maine on being reaffirmed as an R1 university — a remarkable achievement and a point of pride for our state,” said Gov. Janet Mills. “This designation of our flagship public university recognizes our state’s 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’s Congressional delegation also recognized the significance of UMaine’s continued R1 status.
“Everyone in Maine is rightfully proud of all the groundbreaking work being done at the University of Maine, and to have that pride recognized nationally is well-deserved — and a testament to the commitment and brilliance of UMaine faculty, scientists, students and staff,” said U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden in a joint statement. “As an R1 university, UMaine’s 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.”
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.
“The affirmation of the University of Maine’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,” said University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy. “Since 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 propelled the System’s ability to generate $6.45 in public and private research investments for every $1 the State appropriated to it through the Maine Economic Improvement Fund (MEIF).
“This 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,” said Ferrini-Mundy, who is also president of UMaine’s regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias, and vice chancellor for research and innovation for the System. “In partnership with MEIF-supported researchers, Maine’s 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.”
“Our R1 status is not just a ranking — it reflects UMaine’s deep commitment to addressing critical issues and advancing knowledge,” said Kody Varahramyan, the university’s vice president for research and dean of its graduate school. “The R1 classification represents the top tier of achievement for research institutions across the United States, with fewer than 7% of the nation’s 2,690 four-year colleges and universities holding the distinction. Since first earning R1 status in 2022, UMaine’s 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.” Contact: John Diamond, diamond@maine.edu