Federal, state, county, city, business and university leaders gathered at Union Station to celebrate the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s designation as a Carnegie Research 1 university. They spoke about the economic impact of this national designation for the Kansas City community, Missouri and beyond. State Representative Melissa Douglas recognized the university's milestone with a state resolution, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas recognized it with a city proclamation.

UMKC achieved Carnegie Research 1, or R1, designation earlier this year. The designation reflects university-wide dedication to research, innovation and community collaboration. Of all four-year institutions in the United States, only 6% are R1 and UMKC is the only one in Kansas City. The R1 designation elevates the academic prestige of UMKC, providing more opportunities for faculty and students through recruitment and research grants. UMKC researchers demonstrated research at Union Station including drones, nursing simulations and more.

This designation isn’t just a milestone for the university; the benefits will echo through the community and beyond. Prestigious faculty and research grants will bring new jobs and opportunities into the region. The research happening at UMKC makes an impact of more than $300 million to the greater Kansas City area each year. Additionally, the university’s research activity annually brings an estimated 2,000 jobs to the area.

Leaders expressed excitement about what this means for our region:

• Charlie Shields, chair of Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, president and CEO of University Health and UMKC Trustee: “UMKC research advances our safety as a society and our health and wellbeing – impacts I see every day at University Health. UMKC is leading the way in key areas of research, including electromagnetic radiation and energy, advanced and critical materials, unmanned platforms, cybersecurity and digital humanities.”
• U.S. Representative Mark Alford: “What UMKC is doing in the defense and security space has already led to the creation of private businesses and jobs and has massive potential for continued growth. This milestone only further helps expand on what could have a massive economic impact on the Midwest, creating business and jobs in the region that help our country receive the materials it needs from areas in Kansas and Missouri.”
• State Representative Melissa Douglas: “I see UMKC serving in healthcare throughout the state of Missouri, not only at its Health Sciences Campus in Kansas City, but through its satellite campuses to serve rural Missourians. As UMKC continues to expand its healthcare outreach throughout the state of Missouri, I know we’ll see more needed research to improve the lives of all Missourians. Together, we have built a hub of intellectual vitality that will have benefits for years to come.”
• Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas: “I’m quite familiar with the good works at UMKC, and grew up with it, as my mother worked there. I’ve seen the city and the university grow together to become world class, and this important R1 designation is a testament to that.”
• Jackson County Executive Frank White: “I’ve seen up close how UMKC research can help communities. Our Healthy Jackson County truly made a difference to so many people’s lives. And UMKC’s community-participatory research truly makes a difference to so many people’s lives.”
• UMKC Student Government Association President Justice Horn: “This isn’t just a title. It’s a transformation. For students, it means expanded opportunities, greater visibility and stronger preparation for our futures. It’s a game changer—and a sign that UMKC is investing in discovery, innovation and real-world impact right here in the Kansas City community.”
• UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal: “This moment reflects the work of an entire community that believes in the power of education, research and partnership to shape a better future for all of us. And it reflects a university that has long been deeply embedded in the life of this city – from healthcare and entrepreneurship to science, the arts and urban development.”
• Tim Cowden, President and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council: “This R1 status helps elevate our brand to the world. Kansas City's status is rising. The R1 designation is a welcome mat to talent not just in the Kansas City area, but around the world.”

Celebrations continued as buildings around the city lit up in recognition of the university's Carnegie Research 1 status. Union Station, Children's Mercy, Saint Luke's Hospital, Country Club Plaza, City Hall, KC Wheel and Power and Light Building were illuminated UMKC blue and gold.

Regional Recognition

Kansas City Proclamation

Whereas, the Carnegie R1 designation recognizes those universities that have "very high research activity," an achievement only about 6% of four-year institutions of higher education in the U.S. have attained; and

Whereas, UMKC is Kansas City's first Carnegie R1 institution, a prestigious designation that reflects years of dedicated research, innovation, and community collaboration; and

Whereas UMKC's key research areas are advancing healthcare, defense and more with specialties in electromagnetic radiation and energy; advanced and critical materials' unmanned platforms; artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science and digital humanities; and

Whereas, this elite status represents a transformative era for UMKC, Kansas City, and the broader region, and

Now, Therefore, as Mayor of the City of Kansas City, I Quinton D. Lucas, on behalf of the residents of this great city, do hereby recognize UMKC on its achievement as an R1 institution. 

Missouri State Senate Resolution

Whereas, the members of the Missouri Senate believe it is altogether fitting and proper to recognize exemplary Missouri universities which have been distinguished as prestigious educational and research facilities; and

Whereas, the members now pause to recognize the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in Kansas City, Missouri, which received the honor of being designated as a Carnegie R1 institution, and

Whereas, beginning in 1970, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education began developing a classification of colleges and universities to support its program of research and policy establishment, which UMKC exceeded by spending $55 million and awarding 134 doctorate degrees, and

Whereas, in order to be named a Carnegie R1 university, an institution must spend at least $50 million on research and development and award an average of at least seventy research doctorates in a single year, and

Whereas, UMKC is Kansas City's first Carnegie R1 institution, reflecting years of dedication and persistence to research, innovation, and community collaboration; and

Whereas, out of more than 2,800 four-year institutions, only 187 universities are designated as Carnegie R1, three of which now include UMKC, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and St. Louis University; and

Whereas, achieving the Carnegie R1 designation comes five years ahead of the 2030 goal set in the university's strategic plan and represents a truly transformative era for UMKC, Kansas City, and the community; and

Whereas, UMKC's key research areas include advancing health care, defense, and specialties in electromagnetic radiation and energy; advanced and critical materials; unmanned platforms; artificial intelligence; cybersecurity, data science; and digital humanities; and

Whereas, UMKC promotes learning through the discovery, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge of public value across a broad spectrum of disciplines and fields of study and celebrates the individual by providing opportunities for all by intertwining these goals with innovation to enable transformational impact aimed at bringing cultural, social, health, and economic prosperity to the metropolitan, regional, and global communities;

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that we, the members of the Missouri Senate, One Hundred Third General Assembly, join to congratulate the University of Missouri-Kansas City for being designated as a prestigious Carnegie R1 institution and share our best wishes for continued success; and

Be It Further Resolved that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for presentation to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.