UNCW's Research Report Earns An A

Clean drinking water, flu vaccines, a one-of-a-kind stock index—UNCW research is developing, informing and delivering on a growing scale. 

For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the university reports a record in new awards, exceeding $33 million. The funding comes from government, corporate and other sponsors allowing faculty and staff to engage in projects in the community, throughout the state and around the globe. 

Many faculty-led research projects boast a high proportion of student involvement. UNCW is unique in that its undergraduates, regardless of field of study, have opportunities largely limited to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at other institutions. 

Since 2018, UNCW has maintained an R2 classification for higher education institutions, meaning the university supports more than $5 million in research and development and awards at least 20 research or scholarship doctoral degrees. During this timeframe, UNCW has received more than $117 million in sponsored program funding.  

“Our growth in research translates to an increase in the positive impacts we are having as a university on the region, the state and the country,” said James J. Winebrake, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Through our research, we are addressing some of the most complex, challenging problems we face as a society; we are helping government, non-profits and businesses learn and grow. We are honing students' problem-solving skills.” 

Additional efforts are underway to further expand the university’s research capacity. This year, UNCW invested in two Research Hubs, comprised of faculty across disciplines working to solve pressing issues aligned with the university’s strategic plan. This new program from Research and Innovation aims to accelerate growth, impact and competitiveness in priority research areas.

Each hub is supported through internal seed funding totaling $100,000 a year for three years as project milestones are achieved:

• Bridging Gaps in Neurocare: UNCW’s Strategic Blueprint for Brain Health Resilience (BHR) includes collaborators from the College of Science and Engineering (CSE), the College of Health and Human Services and Military Affairs as well as industry partners, including NuReam, SportGait/LifeGait and OpiAID. The BHR Research Hub is dedicated to brain health resilience advancements, spanning prevention to pharmacological intervention. 
• Maritime Cybersecurity Applied Research, Technology & Education Center (MCARTEC) includes researchers from CSE, the Cameron School of Business and the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, & the Arts, and also partners with the North Carolina State Ports Authority and the Defense Alliance of North Carolina. MCARTEC’s purpose is to help secure and strengthen the resilience of the maritime subsector of the transportation systems sector. 

In addition to this strategic investment, the university is also expanding through new and renovated facilities which include: 

• College of Health and Human Services’ state-of-the-art Dr. J. Richard “Dick” Corbett Anatomy Laboratory 

• Center for Marine Science’s contracted construction of a 73’ research vessel  

• UNCW Library’s 80,000 square foot expansion, opened in August 

Research and innovation success and impact will be formally applauded at the 17th annual research reception later this month. Hosted by Research and Innovation, the university event celebrates those who have participated in extramurally sponsored research in the form of proposals or awards within the preceding academic year and recognizes special achievements, critical research leaders, scholarly productivity and creative works. 

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