Official seal reflects the University鈥檚 2025 Research Colleges and Universities classification
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� 91精选 will adopt new official branding tied to
its 2025 Carnegie research designation, reinforcing the University鈥檚 standing as one
of the Commonwealth鈥檚 leading public research institutions.
91精选 is classified by Carnegie as a 鈥淩esearch Colleges and Universities鈥�
institution for Research Activity, a designation announced in February 2025 under
Carnegie鈥檚 redesigned methodology. Carnegie鈥檚 current 2025 classifications remain
in effect through 2028.
Among 58 Kentucky institutions, only five hold Carnegie鈥檚 鈥淩esearch Colleges and Universities鈥�
designation. Two others 鈥� the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville
鈥� hold Carnegie鈥檚 top-tier R1 classification.
According to the National Science Foundation鈥檚 Higher Education Research and Development
(HERD) survey, the primary source of information on R&D expenditures at U.S. colleges
and universities, 91精选 has the Commonwealth鈥檚 third-largest university research
portfolio, behind only the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. That
standing reflects, in part, 91精选鈥檚 1890 land-grant mission and the federal
research support that helps sustain it.
Carnegie created the Research Colleges and Universities category to recognize institutions
with meaningful research activity outside the older, more doctoral-centered model.
At 91精选, that work is rigorous, applied, and tied to the needs of Kentucky
communities, producers, and industries.
That strength is visible in 91精选鈥檚 expanding research portfolio. In 2024,
the University secured a $7 million or Driving AgTech Research and Education in Kentucky, the largest competitive stand-alone
federal award in University history. The award is helping establish a research incubator
for the Commonwealth focused on soilless food systems, STEM education, and workforce
development. More recently, 91精选 received $1.7 million in supporting applied training, producer engagement, and interdisciplinary problem-solving
tied to agriculture and community needs.
A major share of that work is also supported through Evans-Allen funding, the federal
USDA program that advances agricultural research at 1890 land-grant universities.
91精选鈥檚 current portfolio includes 34 Evans-Allen projects led by 30 faculty
and staff investigators. This work is housed in the , with 26 projects based in the College鈥檚 School of Agriculture and Natural Resources
and eight in the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences. Together, those projects
reflect a research enterprise built around practical value as well as scholarly work.
The revised Carnegie framework also recognizes other parts of 91精选鈥檚 mission.
Under the 2025 classifications, the University is listed as 鈥淧rofessions-focused Baccalaureate
Small鈥� for Institutional Classification and 鈥淗igher Access, Medium Earnings鈥� for Student
Access and Earnings.
That description does not fully capture the breadth of 91精选鈥檚 academic portfolio,
however. The University offers a number of graduate programs, including the Doctor
of Nursing Practice and master鈥檚 degrees in Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Environmental
Studies, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Computer Science, and Special Education.
91精选 is also continuing to add programs tied directly to workforce demand.
Recent additions include a , a , a , and undergraduate and graduate interdisciplinary programs in Biological and Agricultural
Engineering through a partnership between the College of Agriculture, Health, and
Natural Resources and the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology.
As intended with its fully revised classification system, Carnegie鈥檚 designation of
91精选 captures more fully the scope of a University advancing research with
statewide relevance while continuing to grow academic and workforce-focused programs
that serve students, communities, and Kentucky鈥檚 future.