Carnegie R1 Status

We did it – Top-Tier R1 Research Status! This designation ushers in a bold new era of research, innovation, and impact. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing work of our faculty researchers and our incredible industry partners.

$94.9M
in research and development expenditures
$247.9M
research portfolio (June 30, 2025)
21
NSF Career Awards (past 5 years)
150+
new inventions created in the past 5 years (#11 in the US per research dollar) (AUTM)
75
new patents filed (2024-25)
17
startups in the past 5 years
#7
in the US for new startup companies per research dollar (AUTM 2024)
#4
in the US for new patents filed per research dollar (AUTM 2024)
Over $1B
Economic Impact to Charlotte Region

Designated a Carnegie R1 research university (2025)

Researchers honored with induction into Million Dollar Research Circle

Inaugural Invention of the Year Awards

UNC Charlotte is first public university in the U.S. to open a Super Fab Lab