VCU achieves record national research ranking

The National Science Foundation, which tracks federally funded research expenditures, has announced that VCU ranks #58 of 415 public research universities, up from #65 last year.

Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation

The National Science Foundation, which tracks federally funded research expenditures, has announced that VCU ranks #58 of 415 public research universities, up from #65 last year, according to the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) FY 2020 survey released Dec. 27, 2021. 

“This significant gain in national research ranking reflects VCU’s growing prominence and the truly amazing work of our faculty, trainees, students and staff across all campuses and disciplines, despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., the university’s vice president for research and innovation, in a statement. 

The rise in VCU’s national research ranking reflects the university’s increases in research productivity, including grant submissions, awards and expenditures. It also underscores the university's recent commitment to its One VCU Research Strategic Priorities Plan, which was developed not only to keep pace with ongoing research, but also to accelerate transformative innovation.

The OVPRI and the Office of the Provost have recently committed new and expanded research funding opportunities to support research across VCU’s four key research initiatives:

  • Enriching the human experience
  • Achieving a just and equitable society
  • Optimizing health
  • Supporting sustainable energy and environments

As the One VCU Research Strategic Priorities Plan awards are announced in the coming months, the funded projects will contribute to increased extramural funding, professional growth and development of faculty, staff and students.