Indiana University Indianapolis has cemented its status as one of the nation’s premier urban research universities after receiving Research 1 status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, making it the only R1 institution in Indianapolis. Learn more about the designation and how it will benefit the campus, faculty and students.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is R1?

Research 1 status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the nation’s leading framework for categorizing U.S. higher education institutions, is a designation reserved for doctoral granting universities with the highest research activity.

R1 status is presented to universities with at least $50 million in research and development expenditures that award at least 70 doctoral degrees in any field in a year.

IU Indianapolis and IU Bloomington are both now classified as R1, placing IU among a select group of universities in the country to have multiple campuses with this elite designation.

Why is IU Indianapolis now classified as R1?

The Carnegie Classification updated its benchmark in 2025, modernizing the way it ranks universities and shifting to a more multidimensional approach.

What does it mean for the campus?

R1 classifies IU Indianapolis among the top research universities in the country, solidifying its status as one of the nation’s premier urban research universities. In addition to recognizing the innovative and impactful work of current faculty and students, the classification will strengthen the campus’s ability to recruit top-tier faculty and students and attract more funding to the over 50 research centers and institutions on campus.

The designation, factored with IU Indianapolis’ location in the heart of Indiana’s capital city, will add to the campus’s appeal as a destination for advanced research opportunities and partnerships across disciplines.

How will R1 benefit faculty?

The designation can lead to increased funding opportunities for faculty and enhance the reputation and credibility of their work. This can open doors to career advancements, collaborations with fellow top researchers at peer institutions, and partnerships with industry and other key constituencies.

How will R1 benefit students?

R1 classification will lead to more opportunities for students to learn from leading researchers and scholars; access state-of-the-art research facilities and other top-tier resources; and pursue and contribute to research that pioneers new health interventions, forges innovative cross-disciplinary pathways, and drives the research and development ecosystem.