Letters to the UMB Community

I am pleased to share that the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) officially has been designated a Research 1 (R1) Institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This recognition acknowledges UMB’s long-standing excellence in research, particularly driven by our School of Medicine, and is a well-deserved correction to the previous Special Focus Four Year: Research Institution designation. Carnegie removed an arcane rule that devalued the important contributions of universities that serve predominantly graduate and professional students and had kept UMB from receiving R1 classification.

R1 status is a significant milestone that highlights our commitment to groundbreaking research and development, attracts funding, and enhances UMB’s global reputation. UMB has long been a research powerhouse, and this designation reflects the extensive contributions of our faculty, researchers, and students.

To achieve R1 status, universities must spend at least $50 million on research and development in a year and award at least 70 research doctorates each year. UMB first spent more than $50 million annually on research in 1987. In Fiscal Year 2024, UMB secured more than $638 million in research awards from both for-profit and nonprofit sponsors across our seven schools. UMB's seven schools continue to drive innovative solutions to address societal challenges, improve health, and contribute to the global good.

I am proud of the UMB community for your commitment to our mission to improve the human condition and serve the public good, and I look forward to our University continuing to make meaningful contributions to research and society.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS 

President