With research that’s exploratory and practical, UMass Lowell faculty and students translate discoveries into powerful solutions. Our researchers work across disciplines and partner with industry, startups, and communities to create new knowledge and drive advancements that greatly benefit society. Through the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), UMass Lowell expands research collaborations, creates hands-on learning opportunities for our students, and drives economic transformation in the region.

UMass Lowell is now listed as a Carnegie Research 1 (R1) university, a prestigious designation used to identify the nation’s top research institutions. Only 7% of four-year universities are designated R1.

The classification, announced today (Feb. 13) by the Carnegie Foundation for Teaching and the American Council on Education, requires two criteria: an institution must spend at least $50 million on research and development and award at least 70 research doctorates on average in a single year.

UMass Lowell surpassed these requirements with research expenditures exceeding $120 million and nearly 150 doctoral degrees awarded, most of which are research doctorates.

“Research 1 status reflects UMass Lowell's unwavering commitment to research excellence and innovation, a milestone achieved through the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. “This recognition underscores the significant research advancements happening at UMass Lowell and our commitment to creating new knowledge, driving innovation and inspiring discoveries that serve not only our areas of interest but our community and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

The university has pursued research growth through projects with defense, commercial and other academic partners.

The campus hosts 13 research centers, which have achieved international distinction and are notable for an interdisciplinary approach, including the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy; the New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation Center; the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology; and the Raytheon-UMass Lowell Research Institute.

In addition, UMass Lowell hosts collaborative efforts such as the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2), a life sciences incubator and accelerator created in collaboration with the UMass Chan Medical School, and the HEROES partnership with the U.S. Army DEVCOM SC focused on innovations that enhance the capabilities and experience of military members.

UMass Lowell is consistently looking to create new opportunities for research and collaboration through industry partnerships. Currently, the university is working with the City of Lowell to dramatically scale up these partnerships through the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), a public-private development set to transform the city’s economic future.

“The R1 classification is a tremendous boost for our plans for LINC, which will be a vibrant live-work-learn-play district that is a nexus of research activity in eastern Massachusetts,” said Anne Maglia, UMass Lowell vice chancellor for research, innovation and economic development. “We’ve already attached prestigious partners — including Draper, Mass General Brigham, Home Base and SAIC — who are co-locating on our campus in order to be closer to our research activity and our talented students.”

In July 2023, UMass Lowell announced the creation of a new School of Graduate Studies to align existing programs with the university’s research enterprise, leading to further collaboration and innovation.

"R1 status creates unparalleled career-connected opportunities by providing students with hands-on research experiences, industry collaborations and access to top-tier faculty,” Chen said. “With cutting-edge resources and strong industry partnerships, students gain the skills, mentorship and real-world connections needed to excel in their chosen careers."