By Maria Gonzalez

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 14, 2025 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing $100 million in total research expenditures for the first time in its 10-year history. 

This milestone marks the first time the university has surpassed $100 million, confirming its progress toward Carnegie R1 (Very High Research Activity) status.

In Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), the university reported $103.7 million, marking a 71% increase from $60.7 million in FY22. This underscores UTRGV’s steady ascent toward achieving Carnegie R1 (Very High Research Activity) designation. 

“Surpassing the $100 million threshold in research expenditures marks a new era for UTRGV, one where our institution stands shoulder to shoulder with the nation’s top research universities,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said.

He noted that this milestone, reached as UTRGV marks its 10th anniversary, reflects the collective drive and vision that have defined the institution since its founding.

“We were once told this couldn't be done in 10 years. Not only did we do it, but we’re also just getting started,” Bailey said. 

Bailey expressed heartfelt thanks to Dr. Can Saygin, senior vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate College, along with his team and the dedicated faculty, students and staff who made this achievement possible.

UTRGV reports its research expenditures annually to the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey. The FY25 results highlight the university’s continued progress under the I.M.P.A.C.T. framework, which focuses on Infrastructure, Metrics, Programs, Alignment, Collaboration and Targets as pillars of research growth and institutional transformation.

Dr. Can Saygin, UTRGV senior vice president for research and dean of the Graduate College, said the university’s research growth reflects “a fundamental transformation in research culture, operational capacity and institutional positioning.” (Photo by Jesús Alférez.)

Several academic units at UTRGV played key roles in advancing the university’s research efforts:

• School of Medicine: $29.2 million.
• College of Engineering and Computer Science: $18.7 million.
• College of Sciences: $21.3 million.
• Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship: $7 million.
• College of Liberal Arts: $7.8 million.

These colleges collectively accounted for the majority of FY25 research spending, with additional contributions from Health Professions ($4.2 million), Education and P-16 Integration ($2.7 million), Fine Arts ($1.9 million), and other academic and vice president-level units. 

UTRGV’s achievement under Criterion 1 of the Carnegie R1 status pathway and total research expenditures demonstrates that the university not only met but far exceeded its benchmark. With a target of $50 million annually, UTRGV’s FY25 performance of $103.7 million represents 207% of the target, officially marking the criterion as achieved.

“Through strategic investments in infrastructure, systematic tracking of metrics, innovative programs, policy-driven alignment, meaningful collaboration, and focused pursuit of targets, UTRGV has positioned itself as an emerging research powerhouse,” Saygin said.

He added that this milestone reflects the university’s transformation over the past decade and the strength of its research community.

“The 71% increase in total research expenditures over the last three years, the achievement of National Research Support Fund designation and clear progress toward Carnegie R1 status demonstrate that the I.M.P.A.C.T. model delivers not just numerical growth, but a fundamental transformation in research culture, operational capacity and institutional positioning.”

The $103.7 million milestone further reflects UTRGV’s commitment to advancing discovery and innovation that benefit the Rio Grande Valley, the state of Texas and the nation. 

Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan, director of the UTRGV South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, and Dr. Everardo Cobos, UTRGV School of Medicine interim dean, chair of the Department of Medicine and Oncology, and hematologist-oncologist at UT Health RGV, are pictured in a research lab at the UTRGV Biomedical Research Building in McAllen. UTRGV’s research growth over the past decade reflects the work of faculty across disciplines driving advances in science, health and education. (Photo by Jesús Alférez.)