In a message to the Catholic University community, President Peter Kilpatrick announced this morning that The Catholic University of America has achieved R1 status, joining the highest tier of research universities in the United States.
Dear Members of the Catholic University Community,
I am delighted to share that The Catholic University of America has achieved R1 status, joining the highest tier of research universities in the United States. This designation from the Carnegie Foundation recognizes institutions with "very high research activity" and represents a significant milestone in our University's 138-year history.
The scope and impact of our research endeavors are evidenced by several notable achievements. Our faculty have secured major research partnerships, including a $64 million cooperative agreement with NASA, a $31 million DOE contract for nuclear waste vitrification, and a $5 million NIH grant for groundbreaking medical research. In fiscal year 2023 alone, our community produced 94 research doctorates and expended more than $50 million toward research.
The R1 designation affirms what we have long known: that intellectual discovery and Catholic identity are mutually supportive. As Ex Corde Ecclesiae reminds us, it is "the honor and responsibility of a Catholic university to consecrate itself without reserve to the cause of truth." Since our founding in 1887 as the first Catholic research university in America, we have understood that the pursuit of truth through research is a sacred responsibility. Today, we see this commitment continue to bear fruit through our public and private partnerships and in groundbreaking work across the entire gamut of disciplines.
This recognition will create new opportunities for our students and faculty while enhancing the value of a Catholic University degree. Our undergraduates benefit from studying in an environment where cutting-edge research informs classroom teaching, and where they have exceptional opportunities to participate directly in meaningful research.
While we rightly celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on our mission in service to the Church, the nation, and the world. R1 status is not an end in itself but rather an acknowledgment that we are fulfilling this mission with distinction.
I am grateful to everyone whose dedication has made this achievement possible, but especially to Provost Aaron Dominguez and Senior Vice Provost of Research Joe Yost. Together, let us continue to draw out the riches of the Catholic intellectual tradition, giving glory to God as we work to expand the boundaries of human knowledge and understanding
Sincerely,
Peter Kilpatrick
President
The Catholic University of America
