Research activity at UNC Charlotte reached record-breaking heights in 2022-23 with new awards totaling $73.2 million, while expenditures topped an all-time high of $55.2 million. These achievements represent growth of 27.7% and 18.7%, respectively, over last year.
The University’s progress reflects purposeful steps taken by the Division of Research to realize a priority outlined in the University’s 10-year strategic plan, “Shaping What’s Next,” for UNC Charlotte to achieve national prominence as a top-tier research university. Along with making noteworthy strides toward increasing research awards and expenditures, UNC Charlotte is investing vigorously in its infrastructure to support new and existing research and creative activity, and the recruitment and retention of world-class faculty, staff and students.
“The Division of Research continues to support transformative and innovative research in all its forms through proposal development support programming, research administration, promotion of compliance and integrity, facilitation of business-university research partnerships, and fostering protection and commercialization of research and intellectual property,” said John Daniels, interim vice chancellor for research. “We continue to work energetically on process improvement to ensure UNC Charlotte’s ability to be positioned for exceptional research growth.”
Investment in today and tomorrow
In April 2023, bold new initiatives were announced regarding investments in core facilities, internal awards, and support for new postdoctoral scholars, research scientists and fellows. In July, 12 new pilot centers were launched to support research in the University’s identified areas of excellence and strengthen multidisciplinary research, public service and instruction programs across disciplines.
“With Charlotte now the15th-largest city in the United States and fifth nationwide in numeric growth, the region’s need for our discoveries, innovation and cultural impact has never been greater,” said Deb Thomas, interim associate vice chancellor for research. “We congratulate the faculty who undertake research, innovation, entrepreneurship, creative activities, community engagement and interdisciplinary endeavors; the staff who support every step of proposal development and execution of the work in an era of unprecedented regulatory scrutiny; and the student researchers who engage in mentored projects or work as part of faculty research. Working together, UNC Charlotte faculty and staff are on the path to achieving institutional top-tier research status.”
Read the research stories published over the last year for a view of the exciting work underway and its impact.