President Bataille's commentary
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The University of North Texas is an emerging research university with:

  • a strong core in education, music, the arts, business and social sciences
  • growing strengths in science, technology and engineering

In 2009, UNT was cited a "school to watch" by U.S. News & World Report in its America's Best Colleges, 2010.

  • UNT was one of the top 10 public National Universities on U.S. News' "Top Up-and-Coming Schools" list, which singles out schools attracting notice for their innovative changes.
  • UNT was the only Texas public university to make the list.

UNT:

  • offers nearly 250 degree programs
  • Awards about 200 new doctoral degrees each year.
  • Produces about 7,600 newly college-educated individuals to bolster the work force every year.

In fall 2008, UNT committed to make a $25 million investment in collaborative research clusters to further its impact.

Its new high-performance computing facility, set to open in fall 2009, will be among the premier facilities of its kind in the country and the largest in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

UNT is building new LEED-certified facilities to support innovative research and education:

student in lab
  • Life Sciences Complex
  • Business Leadership Building

UNT is transforming its nearly 290-acre research park, Discovery Park, into a research powerhouse and technology-driven economic engine.

Together, these strides are propelling UNT forward on its journey to becoming a national research university.


What is a national research university

National research universities (sometimes referred to as tier one universities):

  • Are top-level, comprehensive research universities
  • Attract significant research funding
  • Attract elite students and faculty
Wen Chyan

Wen Chyan, a student in UNT's Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, is one of the many promising researchers UNT nurtures. Chyan is one of four 2009 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars and won a coveted Siemens competition for his medically-related research.


These universities often meet the following benchmarks:

  • They may be members of the Association of American Universities.
  • They award at least 250 doctoral degrees a year and offer programs in a wide array of disciplines at all levels.
  • They bring in and spend at least $100 million in research funding each year.

Creating more national research universities in Texas

Texas has only three national research universities (UT Austin, A&M, Rice).

Having more national research universities would elevate Texas and its universities while building a strong economic and intellectual foundation.

The Texas Legislature created a state program through HB 51 to establish more national research universities. The program:

  • Establishes a pool of matching funds for the gifts emerging research universities receive to support research through endowed chairs, facilities, equipment and graduate fellowships through the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP) laid out in the bill.
  • Rewards institutions that make in-roads with graduating at-risk students in critical areas of science, engineering and math.

The TRIP matching incentive is a new opportunity for UNT, as it is for all seven emerging universities in Texas.

On Sept. 1, the deadline to apply for the first round of TRIP funding, UNT submitted roughly $2.9 million in gifts, which could qualify for a portion of state matching funds. The gifts will fund endowed chairs, graduate fellowships and other research initiatives. UNT is expecting a match in the amount of $1.73 million.

UNT will continue seeking gifts that would qualify for TRIP funds as well as augment research initiatives. Support from UNT's advocates and partners is essential. The state program is predicated on a university's success in bringing in private dollars to fuel initiatives.


What research UNT is conducting

UNT researchers and students earn top honors and funding.


UNT researchers are solving problems and advancing society.