The College of Staten Island has been named one of the nation’s leading research institutions in the latest Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education, joining an elite group of CUNY colleges recognized for their impactful research contributions. The prestigious classification, administered by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, places CSI in the newly established category of Research Colleges and Universities (RCUs).

This new designation acknowledges institutions that spend at least $2.5 million on research annually, highlighting colleges that have historically not been recognized for their research activity despite making significant contributions to their fields. CSI joins six other CUNY senior colleges in this category, including Baruch College, Brooklyn College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Lehman College, Queens College, and New York City College of Technology. The Graduate Center retained its Premier ‘Research 1 status, while Hunter College Joined The City College of New York as Research 2 status.

“The designation reflects the role and reputation of our faculty in advancing research, scholarship and creative works,” said CSI President Dr. Timothy G. Lynch. “Under the leadership of Provost Steiper and his team in Academic Affairs we are committed to supporting our colleagues in their scholarly pursuits—pursuits that demonstrate that CSI is a true leader in this space.”

The classification reflects CSI’s increasing investment in research and development, contributing to CUNY’s record-breaking $622 million in external grant expenditures in FY 2024—a remarkable 68% increase since 2014. CSI’s research initiatives span diverse fields, making a real-world impact locally and globally.

The new Research Colleges and Universities category represents a milestone for CSI, recognizing its strategic growth in research while underscoring its commitment to academic excellence.

“CUNY’s extraordinary showing in the new Carnegie Classifications is an affirmation of our tremendous growth as a research university over the past decade,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “Advancing scientific discovery with real-world public impact and training the next generation of researchers are both core to our mission as the country’s leading urban public university. Our more than 10,000 faculty researchers and their students are conducting transformative science for the public good.”

As CSI continues to expand its research footprint, the College is committed to keeping its standing as a top research institution. The College’s strategic investments in state-of-the-art research facilities and interdisciplinary collaborations are paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and community impact.

The full 2025 Institutional Classification will be published in April, grouping institutions by characteristics such as degree offerings, fields of study, and institutional size. As CSI celebrates this milestone, the College looks forward to continued growth and greater contributions to the world of research and discovery.