SIU Carbondale earns prestigious R1 research designation

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been designated a Research 1, or R1, institution by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education, recognizing it as one of the top research universities in the nation.

The R1 designation, awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, places SIU Carbondale among the top 5% of nearly 4,000 classified institutions nationwide.

“This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” said SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane. “As the only R1 institution in rural Illinois and within a 100-mile radius, we are uniquely positioned to drive innovation and economic growth in our region.”

The R1 designation requires institutions to have at least 70 research doctorates and $50 million in research expenditures. In 2023, SIU Carbondale had 102 research doctorates and $58.3 million in research expenditures.

The designation enhances SIU Carbondale’s global reputation for research opportunities and faculty expertise and is expected to bolster efforts to secure research funding and recruit top faculty and students.