The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) has been designated as a Research College & University (RCU) in the 2025 Carnegie Classification, a recognition that underscores UDC’s scholarship and expanding investment in research. This milestone comes just ahead of UDC Research Week (March 31 – April 4), an annual event showcasing the university’s research, innovation and impact.
“This designation is a testament to the vision outlined in our new strategic plan Delivering on the Promise,” said UDC President Maurice D. Edington. “As the District’s only public university, we are committed to serving as its economic and workforce development engine—graduating students with the education, practical experience and expertise to thrive in high-demand fields. Our RCU classification affirms that commitment and strengthens our ability to drive research and innovation that benefits the District and beyond.”
RCU is a new classification developed by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching with the goal of recognizing institutions that demonstrate significant research activity but historically have not been classified under the traditional R1 and R2 categories. Universities with annual research expenditures of at least $2.5 million now qualify for this designation, positioning UDC among 216 institutions nationwide. It is also a significant step toward UDC’s goal of achieving R2 status, further elevating its standing in the research community.
“UDC is the research laboratory for the D.C. government and uniquely positioned to tackle pressing urban challenges through applied research,” said UDC Vice President of Research Victor McCrary. “From studying water quality and urban farming to advancing national security and defense-related research, our faculty and students are engaged in projects that deliver real-world impact. This recognition affirms our growing research enterprise and our dedication to fostering innovation that serves the District’s residents.”
As the nation’s only exclusively urban land-grant university, UDC continues to uphold its mission of providing practical education combined with community-centered research. The university is an established leader in urban sustainability, workforce development and STEM innovation, ensuring its research directly benefits the communities it serves.
Looking ahead, UDC is preparing to announce the full schedule for UDC Research Week 2025, which will provide a platform to highlight the university’s growing research portfolio. The event will include interdisciplinary collaborations, student research showcases, workshops and more.