JMU maintains national research prominence

James Madison University has been recognized by the Carnegie Commission as a 2025 Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production institution. The updated designation, which is recognized for three years, highlights JMU's commitment to research excellence and its significant contributions to the academic community.  

Carnegie’s criteria for this year’s designation include an institution spending on average in a single year at least $5 million on research and development and awarding at least 20 research doctorates. In fiscal year 2023, JMU produced over $21 million in research expenditures; JMU also awarded 40 research doctorates during the 2022-2023 academic year.  

JMU was first classified as a Research 2 university in February 2022, providing the university with new opportunities to elevate its academic mission, while expanding research and scholarship for faculty and students and participating in larger, national conversations. 

This designation reaffirms the university’s core commitments of providing close faculty and student interactions, high-quality undergraduate and graduate education enhanced by cutting edge research and scholarship, and extraordinary faculty who provide opportunities that are collaborative, interdisciplinary and engaging within the community.