Strategic Plan Home Initiatives Research Research Excellence

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

Updates

Feb 25, 2020
NORDP Southwest Regional Meeting

Dec 18, 2019
"Accelerate 2030" - UTSA's next research strategic plan

Nov 19, 2019
UTSA advancing scientific innovation

Oct 22, 2019
Total R&D expenditures reach $80.6M

Sep 18, 2019
Faculty awards program

Read All Updates

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

Destination Two: Great Public Research University

Destination Three: Exemplar for Strategic Growth and Innovative Excellence

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

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).