CWRU now #1 fastest-growing research university in AAU
Case Western Reserve is the #1 fastest-growing research university in the American Association of Universities, according to the latest data from the National Science Foundation (NSF) on research expenditure growth.
The university's research and development expenditures surged by 37.5% between Fiscal Years 2022 and 2024, according to the latest data from the NSF’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey, an annual census of research spending at colleges and universities. At this clip, Case Western Reserve University outpaced all of its peers in the American Association of Universities, which comprises 71 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada.
"As we celebrate our bicentennial, this milestone marks decades of work searching for cures, developing technologies and finding groundbreaking solutions that have real-world impact,” said CWRU President Eric W. Kaler. “This recognizes the exceptional efforts of our faculty, staff, postdocs and students, as well as our partners at affiliate hospitals. We are grateful for everyone’s commitment to the power of research, and for the financial support of so many—including the American public—in advancing this work that can transform lives.”
The HERD Survey also ranks all U.S. colleges and universities by total research and development expenditures. CWRU's expenditures reached $643 million in Fiscal Year 2024, placing it at No. 58 in the country on the HERD ranking, up four spots from three years prior. In FY23, CWRU reported $554 million in expenditures and $467 million in FY22, according to HERD data.
Under the leadership of President Kaler and Michael Oakes, executive vice president for research and economic development, the university has taken significant, intentional strides to expand the research enterprise.
Since President Kaler arrived in 2021, the university’s research expenditures have grown 52.3%, fueling innovation and unlocking groundbreaking discoveries, from lifesaving treatments to manufacturing solutions. This impact has led to national and international recognition, including being named #17 in the U.S. and #27 in the world by TIME magazine.
And there’s more to come.
The $300 million Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB) will open later this year, ushering in the next era of problem-first research discovery and innovation. The nearly 200,000-square-foot building will provide laboratory and research hub space for faculty, staff, postdocs and students across disciplines to collaborate and move their discoveries from idea to impact.
Additionally, NEO-SMART (Northeast Ohio Strengthening Manufacturing for American Resilience through Technology) is a finalist in the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program. Anchored by CWRU and other partners, the regionally led, execution-ready collaborative aims to make Northeast Ohio a national epicenter for advanced materials and industrial innovation.
"Our trajectory is undeniable," said Oakes, who joined CWRU in 2022. "The momentum we’ve built is fueling economic growth, expanding partnerships, and creating opportunities that reach far beyond our campus.”
Learn more about Case Western Reserve’s impactful research enterprise.
