Michigan Technological University has joined the state's University Research Corridor, solidifying the URC's position as a driving force for innovation and economic growth in Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
Michigan Tech joins original University Research Corridor members Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Tech's inclusion is the first addition to the URC since its formation in 2006 — and marks a significant expansion of the URC's collective expertise and impact.
MTU's recent elevation to R1 status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education formally placed the University among the nation's most elite research institutions. MTU's membership in the URC builds on that momentum, further aligning the University's cutting-edge research and talent pipeline with Michigan's key industries, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and life and health sciences.
"Michigan Tech is honored to join the URC and to work alongside Michigan's leading research institutions. Together, we will continue driving innovation, supporting industry, and ensuring our state remains a global leader in research and talent development."
Michigan's four R1 universities have grown the research conducted through their institutions, totaling more than $3.135 billion in research and development expenditures for fiscal year 2023. This accounts for more than 93% of the state's total academic research and development conducted, and 95% of the state's total academic research and development funded by the federal government, which supports defense-related, health sciences and other vital research to drive American competitiveness.
MTU brings a long history of collaboration with industry and research partners, with $106.9 million in research expenditures in fiscal year 24 and 300% growth in research funding since 2004. Tech's expertise in engineering, advanced manufacturing, mobility and sustainability complements the URC's research strengths, expanding the alliance's capacity to address critical challenges.
For years, MTU has actively engaged with the founding URC universities in research collaborations of relevance to Michigan residents. These partnerships have yielded advancements in life-saving medical devices, watershed restoration, water quality in the Great Lakes, astronomical observation, and autonomous vehicle technology on land, in the air and underwater.
"Michigan Tech's addition to the URC is a natural fit. MTU's world-class research and deep expertise in engineering, technology and environmental science will amplify the URC's ability to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing Michigan and the world. Together, we are better positioned than ever to support economic growth and innovation throughout the state."
All four URC universities are committed to fostering strategic partnerships between academia, industry and government. This commitment is exemplified by their participation in the Michigan Space Grant Consortium, a NASA-initiated program promoting space-related science and technology.
It is also evident in their years of collaborative efforts to grow Michigan's innovative ecosystem. Together they have developed, administered and championed state and institutional programs to support university innovation and innovators through venture capital seed funds for university startups, fast-tracking university technologies into critical markets, and attracting entrepreneurial leaders to advise university innovators.
With enrollment of more than 159,000 students and nearly 40,000 degrees conferred in 2023, the URC's four member universities are preparing talent in high demand by Michigan's leading industries. This includes nearly 15,000 graduates each year in engineering, business and computer science.
"Michigan Tech's addition to the URC marks a pivotal moment, amplifying our collective strength and significantly deepening our impact on Michigan. By combining MTU's research excellence, commitment to industry, and the URC's established strengths, we will accelerate economic growth, create more opportunities, and deliver even greater benefits to Michiganders statewide."
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
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