Research Excellence

Current StatusIn Progress
Charge

This initiative aims to identify and launch activities that will increase national and international recognition of UTSA as an institution of research excellence and to earn the status as a Research Intensive University, as identified by the National Research University Fund and Carnegie Classifications. Strategies aim to increase the institution's annual research expenditures, increase the pipeline and success of doctoral students, support UTSA’s faculty to achieve national research recognitions and the recruitment of National Academy members to UTSA.

View the Initiative Brief View Taskforce Members 


Strategic Plan Midpoint Update (Fall 2022)

Since launching this Strategic Initiative, UTSA has made strides to expand and grow its research portfolio, more than doubling its total research expenditures over the last five years

In December 2021, The University of Texas at San Antonio achieved the R1 Classification (“very high research activity”), sometimes referred to as Tier One or Top Tier, from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This elite designation validates the breadth and strength of UTSA’s knowledge enterprise and aligns the university with the nation’s top public and private research institutions.

Several current and future efforts will continue this trajectory of success:

  • Preliminary analyses reveal that UTSA will meet the $45 million research expenditures threshold to be eligible for National Research University Fund (NRUF) the next fiscal year.
  • The Office of the Vice President for Research, Economic Development Knowledge Enterprise (REDKE) completed the goals outlined in its Accelerate 2025 strategic plan ahead of schedule.
  • On June 10, 2022, VP REDKE released the draft framework Accelerate 2030, naming strategic priorities to continue UTSA’s progress toward becoming a nationally recognized as a research focused university benefiting local and regional communities while having global relevance and impact.
  • In the Fall of 2022, UTSA commenced a national search to hire its next Vice President for Research, Economic Development and Knowledge Enterprise (VP REDKE).
View the Accelerate 2030 Plan

This Initiative Supports Strategic Destinations

November 18, 2021
Regents approve UTSA, UT Health San Antonio exploration of new public health school 

November 18, 2021
National Security Collaboration Center at UTSA convenes its first Advisory Council 

November 18, 2021
Psychology chair recognized for outstanding contributions to trauma psychology 

November 9, 2021
To boost or not to boost—an immunological question

November 5, 2021
UTSA develops first-of-its-kind method to measure mental resiliency of police officers

October 29, 2021
CISA leadership visits UTSA National Security Collaboration Center

October 29, 2021
UTSA’s research into opioid-related deaths in Texas could curb a rising tide

October 21, 2021
UTSA signs $18 million federal research contract with Air Force Research Laboratory

October 19, 2021
Hypersonics research at UTSA ushers in student growth and innovation

October 18, 2021
MATRIX AI Consortium at UTSA to co-host AI and Quantum Symposium

October 12, 2021
$5M NNSA grant helps underrepresented UTSA students prepare for cybersecurity careers

October 8, 2021
SwRI-UTSA study demonstrates lunar composition mapping capabilities

October 5, 2021
UTSA's NDRB program receives million-dollar gift to support doctoral student research

October 1, 2021
Presidents in precision therapeutics partnership discuss San Antonio’s growing biomed industry

September 28, 2021
UTSA Brain Health Consortium awarded $12.5M to research genetic brain disorders

September 21, 2021
UTSA Knowledge Enterprise launches research interest groups

September 17, 2021
UTSA professor develops model to understand how a city’s design creates congestion

September 16, 2021
UTSA Libraries tour highlights local influence on Mexican American civil rights

September 14, 2021
Doctoral students in neuroscience earn prestigious fellowships

September 9, 2021
CEID ups UTSA’s game in quest for national recognition

September 9, 2021
Counseling professor helps others emerge from pandemic stress

September 8, 2021
UTSA professor helps make breakthrough achievement in quantum computing

September 2, 2021
UTSA Academy of Distinguished Researchers inducts largest cohort since inception

August 31, 2021
UTSA research collaboration moving forward with new approach to kill cancer cells 

August 27, 2021
NSA grant supports UTSA’s mission to make communities more cyber secure

August 26, 2021
UTSA, UT Health San Antonio expand integrated behavioral healthcare workforce with $1.6M HRSA award

August 10, 2021
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory visits UTSA National Security Collaboration Center

 

August 5, 2021
For 20 years, UTSA center has helped thwart cyberattacks

August 3, 2021
UTSA Knowledge Enterprise funds innovative new research projects

July 29, 2021
New collaborative program aims to increase student diversity in research

July 26, 2021
Government leaders visit UTSA’s National Security Collaboration Center to replicate its model of success

July 12, 2021
UTSA joins National Academies’ prestigious Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable

June 17, 2021
UTSA helps UT System reach No. 4 for U.S. patents granted worldwide

June 15, 2021
UTSA receives $40 million gift from MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett to bolster student success

June 9, 2021
Forum brings together city’s military, university research communities

May 26, 2021
UTSA School of Data Science receives $1 million from Frost Bank to support emerging research

May 25, 2021
Research could help develop the Moon’s first construction site

April 20, 2021
Students earn coveted National Science Foundation fellowships to pursue research

April 15, 2021
Four UTSA students named Goldwater Scholars for research excellence

February 3, 2021
New research and technology solutions spur vast innovation at UTSA

January 6, 2021
Artificial Intelligence Consortium receives over $1M in research funding

December 2, 2021
UTSA surpasses $100 million in total research expenditures

December 1, 2021
UTSA launches comprehensive tool to manage research portfolios

July 30, 2020 
Matrix AI Consortium for Human Well-Being launching at UTSA

July 29, 2020 
Bizios to receive BioMedSA Award for health care, bioscience innovation  

July 28, 2020 
UTSA and SwRI researchers receive funding to study hypersonic flight environments 

July 27, 2020 
UTSA, SwRI grant to fund work to reduce cost of malaria treatment  

July 9, 2020 
San Antonio Partnership for Precision Therapeutics fuels COVID-19 research 

June 29, 2020 
Air Force Research Laboratory leverages the UTSA’s National Security Collaboration Center for research and innovation 

May 19, 2020
UTSA Knowledge Enterprise awards funding for transdisciplinary research  

May 27, 2020 
U.S. Department of Energy selects UTSA to lead Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute  

April 30, 2020 
San Antonio Partnership for Precision Therapeutics awards $200,000 toward COVID-19 vaccine project 

 

Phase 1: August 2018 – December 2019
  • Launch a real-time dashboard for research applications, awards and research expenditure tracking.
  • Dedicate a team to identify and capture total research expenditures.
  • Begin prospect searches for National Academy hires.
  • Build capture teams for large, institutionally significant research awards.
  • Launch a Scholarly Awards program to increase the quantity and quality of national level research awards at UTSA.
  • Align Sponsored Projects Administration and associated Research Service Centers for optimal research administrative support.
  • Align internal resources to support graduate student recruitment and graduation.
  • Align Research Cores and other research infrastructure to appropriate management structures to optimize operations and financial stability.
Phase 2: January 2020 – December 2021
  • Secure National Academy hires in strategic areas at UTSA, leveraging UT System STARs, the Texas Governors University Research Initiative and other faculty hiring opportunities.
  • Launch the National Security Collaboration Center and secure funding mechanisms to support Government-Industry-University partnerships.
Phase 3: January 2021 – December 2022
  • Initiative a comprehensive external review to demonstrate that UTSA faculty are comparable to and competitive with faculty in similar programs at public institutions in the Association of American Universities.
  • Initiative a comprehensive review of five UTSA doctoral programs to demonstrate that the faculty are comparable to and competitive with faculty in similar programs at public institutions in the Association of American Universities.
  • Request and respond to the official NRUF audit by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Strategic Plan Midpoint Update (Fall 2022)

Since launching this Strategic Initiative, UTSA has made strides to expand and grow its research portfolio, more than doubling its total research expenditures over the last five years

In December 2021, The University of Texas at San Antonio achieved the R1 Classification (“very high research activity”), sometimes referred to as Tier One or Top Tier, from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This elite designation validates the breadth and strength of UTSA’s knowledge enterprise and aligns the university with the nation’s top public and private research institutions.

Several current and future efforts will continue this trajectory of success:

  • Preliminary analyses reveal that UTSA will meet the $45 million research expenditures threshold to be eligible for National Research University Fund (NRUF) the next fiscal year.
  • The Office of the Vice President for Research, Economic Development Knowledge Enterprise (REDKE) completed the goals outlined in its Accelerate 2025 strategic plan ahead of schedule.
  • On June 10, 2022, VP REDKE released the draft framework Accelerate 2030, naming strategic priorities to continue UTSA’s progress toward becoming a nationally recognized as a research focused university benefiting local and regional communities while having global relevance and impact.
  • In the Fall of 2022, UTSA commenced a national search to hire its next Vice President for Research, Economic Development and Knowledge Enterprise (VP REDKE).