The University of Central Florida now ranks among the nation’s top research institutions, according to a just-released independent analysis.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching designated UCF as a university with “very high research activity,” according to a statement released by the university. UCF joins universities such as Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins and Stanford in that top tier, which does not include specific rankings for each university.
“Earning the Carnegie Foundation’s top classification is a testimony to our institutional commitment to fueling Florida’s innovation economy,” said UCF President John C. Hitt. “Through our many research partnerships, we are improving the quality of health care, training high-quality teachers, helping to preserve our environment and much more.”
UCF researchers were awarded a record $133.3 million in external research funding in 2009-10. In addition, UCF’s success in moving technology from the laboratory to the marketplace and helping emerging businesses grow, elevated the university’s classification since the last Carnegie Foundation analysis in 2005.
In 2009-10, UCF received $75.8 million in federal funding, a key indicator of strength for universities nationwide, an a 27 percent increase over the previous year’s total. In addition, a record 41 UCF researchers earned $1 million or more in grants.
University research has played a major role in Central Florida’s development of some of the nation’s strongest concentrations of companies in optics and lasers, simulation and training, computer science, alternative energy and biomedical sciences.
Last year, UCF became only the second public university in Florida to earn the Carnegie Foundation’s classification as an institution that has made substantial commitments in the Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnership categories through its mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices.
