At the University of South Alabama, enhancing our research and doctoral education for the betterment of our region and beyond isn’t just a goal — it’s the fuel that's igniting our advancement as the Flagship of the Gulf.
As one of Alabama’s youngest universities, South holds the prestigious Carnegie R2 designation, validating us as a high research activity doctoral university. That’s an incredible feat, and it means South is already in the top 7% of all U.S. universities in research activity.
But we are not stopping there.
In Fall 2022, President Jo Bonner and Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent challenged a committee of faculty and staff to explore stepping up to the next level: the Carnegie R1 ranking, signifying very high research activity. In 2025, there were 187 R1-classified institutions in the U.S., representing approximately 3.7% of the total nearly 4,000 degree-granting institutions.
South is well on its way to achieving this coveted status. This isn’t just about a title; it is about who we are and what we do: A university that accepts challenges and pursues the not-yet-known to transform lives and address issues relevant to the Gulf Coast and the world.
Research Funding
Research Grants
Centers
New Research Consortia
Research by the
Numbers
The University of South Alabama has demonstrated consistent growth in Ph.D. students.
Research and Graduate Education News
Airbus Partners with South to Grow the Next Generation of Industry Professionals
Aerospace giant Airbus partners with the University of South Alabama with plans to locate on campus and grow the next generation of industry professionals.
USA Research, Published in Nature, Shows How Cancer Cells Exploit the Nervous System to Spread
Research conducted at the University of South Alabama provides new insight into how cancer cells exploit their microenvironment, especially nearby nerve cells, to grow and spread. The findings, published in the scientific journal Nature, will help scientists understand the complexity of cancer behaviors and could lead to new approaches for developing cancer therapies.
University of South Alabama Awarded Nearly $5M NSF Grant to Support Low-Income STEM Students
Research conducted at the University of South Alabama provides new insight into how cancer cells exploit their microenvironment, especially nearby nerve cells, to grow and spread. The findings, published in the scientific journal Nature, will help scientists understand the complexity of cancer behaviors and could lead to new approaches for developing cancer therapies.
South Faculty Recognized in World's Top 2% Scientists List
Nearly a dozen University of South Alabama faculty have been featured in the World's Top 2% Scientists List, a benchmark for academic research excellence produced by Stanford University.