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鶹ýfaculty member Sri Mohan works with students in his lab

鶹ýretains R2 Research status, reinforcing leadership in scientific advancement

The 2025 Carnegie Classification underscores ’s role as a key player in Maine’s research landscape

The 鶹ý has retained its status as one of the country’s leading research universities with the recent release of the . 

’s continued under the classification system reaffirms its position as one of just 139 such colleges and universities across the U.S. with the marker of “High Research Spending and Doctorate Production.”

Since first earning this designation in 2018 — at the time, being the only institution in New England to rise from the “Master’s Colleges and Universities: Larger Programs” category — 鶹ýhas continued to expand its research enterprise and secure significant funding, including over $18.6 million in extramural funding across 35 research projects in fiscal year 2024 alone.

A student reviews microscopic images on a computer screen
A close-up of hands preparing bacteria in a petri dish

“The R2 designation recognizes ’s continued strategic investment in research and growth as a nationally renowned research institution,” said Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D., the University’s senior associate provost and vice president for Research at UNE. “The research happening at 鶹ýis making a tangible impact in Maine and beyond, and the R2 designation reflects our ability to secure extramural funding and build partnerships that support both scientific discovery and workforce development.”

’s commitment to fostering innovation is reflected in its student research engagement, with 46% of undergraduates collaborating with faculty on research projects — nearly double the national average. 鶹ýis also an active member of the Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, a collaborative initiative that has helped early-career bioscience faculty secure competitive federal grants and provides resources for biomedical research and workforce training.

A marine science student works on their laptop in a lab
Jennifer Garcia works with a 鶹ýStudent who pipets in the lab
A student holds up a vial while doing research in a forest
A student researcher smiles while holding lab equipment
鶹ýstudent Willard Swift examines zebrafish in a 鶹ýlab

These achievements underscore ’s role as a key player in Maine’s research landscape, particularly within the state’s growing bioscience and biotechnology sectors. 

’s Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences (PLBHS), inaugurated in late 2023, exemplifies this momentum. The facility is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, create strategic industry research partnerships, and contribute to workforce development in a field that is rapidly growing within the state. 

With more than 9,800 positions currently filled, the reports that demand for Maine life sciences jobs has grown 31% in the last five years, far outpacing growth in all of Maine’s total industries (3%).

鶹ýResearch by the Numbers

 

Illustration of the state of Maine with a #1

鶹ýis the top-ranked college or university in Maine to receive funding from the NIH.

Illustration of a medal with a start in the center

In fiscal year 2024, 35 鶹ýresearch projects were awarded over $18,650,000.

Illustration of a magnifying glass over paperwork that has a pie chart

46% of 鶹ýundergraduates conduct research, twice the national average.

Researchers housed in the PLBHS, housed on ’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, are already making significant headway translating their discoveries into real-world applications.

This includes the licensing of a novel cancer biomarker test developed by 鶹ýresearcher Srinidi Mohan, Ph.D., marking an important milestone in clinical research advancements. And Eva Rose Balog, Ph.D., a protein biochemist and associate professor of chemistry, is one of two co-innovators on a newly patented, novel technology that offers a dynamic alternative to traditional methods of molecular detection.

Portrait of Sri Mohan against a whiteboard with chemical formulas
Eva Balog poses for a portrait surrounded by illustrations of her research

PLBHS faculty Srinidi Mohan (left) and Eva Rose Balog from their recent profiles in the 2024 鶹ýMagazine “Research: For the Health of Our World.” Read the magazine

’s research efforts extend beyond biomedical sciences and biotechnology to include marine and environmental sciences, business, public health, climate science, and the humanities. ’s marine research initiatives contribute to understanding coastal ecosystems, fisheries, and climate change resilience, supporting Maine’s environmental and economic sustainability. 

The College of Business, ’s newest college offering a growing roster of market-aligned degree programs, recently launched a strategic partnership with the Maine Mariners professional hockey team, allowing students to engage in applied industry research through the recently launched Center for Sport and Business Innovation.

Media Contact

Alan Bennett
Office of Communications