Binghamton University, State University of New York retains top research ranking among elite universities

(Press-News.org) BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Binghamton University maintains its status as an R1 institution for its prolific research activity, according to a new list from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Every three years, the Carnegie Classification looks at schools’ research expenditures and graduate programs to evaluate which campuses can be considered an R1 institution for “very high spending and doctorate production.”

Schools with this designation must spend at least $50 million on research and development and award at least 70 research doctorates. Binghamton wrapped up the fiscal year 2023 with more than $141 million in research expenditures, awarding an average of 167 doctorates every academic year since 2020.

This is the third time Binghamton has been named a top research institution, placing it among 187 world-class universities including Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Johns Hopkins University.

“Binghamton was first recognized in 2019 as a major research university alongside some of today’s leading global institutions,” University President Harvey Stenger said. “Staying on that same list six years later is proof that our faculty and students have first-rate talent and the persistence to succeed in fields that demand tremendous creativity and dedication.”

Projects related to healthcare, electronics packaging and systems science are among those receiving significant external funding. But scholars from nearly all of Binghamton’s six schools and colleges have been recognized as top academics around the world, according to another study by Stanford University.

“This classification is an exciting achievement showcasing Binghamton’s growing leadership in research nationwide,” said Bahgat Sammakia, vice president for research. “It also cements the importance of supporting our scholars and inventors, as they discover new technologies and solutions addressing today’s societal challenges, whether it’s treating addiction or creating a more sustainable battery.”

Binghamton is a leader in multiple cross-sector coalitions, including SMART USA, which aims to advance semiconductor manufacturing in the United States, as well as New Energy New York, a state- and federally funded initiative to establish the region as a battery innovation and development hub.

Meanwhile, the University’s research capacities also continue to expand, with nearly 20 dedicated research centers in fields ranging from biofilms to cybersecurity to archaeology. The newest among them, the Natural Global Environmental Change Center or NAT-CHANGE, bridges disciplines to solve pressing issues related to climate change.

Students also are key participants in the University’s growing research enterprise, thanks in part to the expansion of schools like the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences as well as Binghamton’s signature First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program.

“Research is embedded into Binghamton’s mission. Both undergraduate and graduate students have the ability to contribute to cutting-edge work starting from their very first year on campus, and this continues until they leave with their bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees,” said Donald Hall, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “This designation highlights the prowess of our academic community in not only uncovering new knowledge, but also sharing it with future generations.”

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