ORONO — The University of Maine reached an all-time high in the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development rankings, underscoring its growing prominence in research and development activities.
The 2023 HERD survey, recently announced by NSF, places UMaine at 140 among the 914 universities it ranked nationwide, an increase from 142 the previous year. Among universities without medical schools, UMaine ranks 112, up from 114 in 2022.
The NSF HERD survey is a comprehensive measure of research and development expenditures reported by universities and colleges across the United States. It serves as a key indicator of research activity and investment, highlighting institutions’ contributions to innovation, discovery and societal advancement. The rankings do not account for the size of an institution in terms of total number of faculty, thus making it even a higher achievement for the smaller size institutions to get ranked in the top 15%.
This year, researchers at UMaine secured $225.2 million for research and development from federal agencies and other external organizations. They also generated $249.3 million in expenditures. These represent all-time highs and nearly 90% of all university research in Maine.
This continued advancement reflects a sustained upward trajectory for UMaine, which now places in the top 15 percent of all ranked universities. In 2018, UMaine ranked 154 among all universities and 128 among universities without medical schools. Since then, UMaine’s commitment to advancing research excellence has consistently elevated the institution’s rankings and helped it achieve its R1 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in 2022, a distinction for which just 3.7 percent of universities nationwide qualify.
“The latest HERD rankings are a positive reflection on the quality and scope of UMaine research and the effectiveness of our faculty and staff in engaging undergraduate and graduate students in research and discovery,” said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the University of Maine and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias. “This collaboration enriches both the overall learning experience and UMaine’s institutional role as a state and national leader in R&D, innovation, job creation and economic development.”
“This record-breaking ranking is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our faculty, staff, and students,” said Kody Varahramyan, vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. “Our progress reflects the robust research enterprise we’ve collectively built, as well as our commitment to addressing Maine’s challenges and opportunities through groundbreaking research.”
UMaine’s rising stature in the HERD rankings signals not only a growing research portfolio, but also the university’s ability to attract competitive funding and foster impactful collaborations. These advancements enhance UMaine’s role as a leader in addressing critical issues, from climate change to sustainable economic development.
As UMaine celebrates this milestone, it remains focused on leveraging its research capabilities to deliver meaningful contributions locally, nationally, and globally.
