HOUGHTON — The University Research Corridor, a force for innovation and economic growth in the state and Great Lakes region, is expanding to include Michigan Tech University, according to a university press release.

Joining Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, MTU’s inclusion marks the first addition to the URC since its formation in 2006.

MTU’s recent elevation to R1 research institution status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education formally placed the university among the nation’s most elite research institutions. MTU’s membership in the URC builds on that momentum, further aligning the university’s cutting-edge research and talent pipeline with Michigan’s key industries, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and life and health sciences.

“Michigan Tech’s addition to the URC is a natural fit,” said Santa J. Ono, chair of the URC executive board and president of the University of Michigan. “MTU’s world-class research and deep expertise in engineering, technology and environmental science will amplify the URC’s ability to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing Michigan and the world. Together, we are better positioned than ever to support economic growth and innovation throughout the state.”

Michigan’s four R1 universities have grown the research conducted through their institutions, totaling more than $3.135 billion in R&D expenditures for FY23. This accounts for more than 93% of the state’s total academic R&D and 95% of the state’s total academic R&D funded by the federal government, which supports defense-related, health sciences and other vital research to drive American competitiveness.

MTU brings a long history of collaboration with industry and research partners, with $106.9 million in research expenditures in FY24 and 300% growth in research funding since 2004. Their expertise in engineering, advanced manufacturing, mobility and sustainability complements the URC’s research strengths, expanding the alliance’s capacity to address critical challenges.

For years, MTU has actively engaged with the founding URC universities in research collaborations of relevance to Michiganders. These partnerships have yielded advancements in life-saving medical devices, watershed restoration, water quality in the Great Lakes, astronomical observation, and autonomous vehicle technology on land, in the air and underwater.

“Michigan Tech is honored to join the URC and work alongside Michigan’s leading research institutions,” said MTU President Richard J. Koubek. “Together, we will continue driving innovation, supporting industry, and ensuring our state remains a global leader in research and talent development.”

All four URC universities are committed to fostering strategic partnerships between academia, industry and government. This commitment is exemplified by their participation in the Michigan Space Grant Consortium, a NASA-initiated program promoting space-related science and technology.

It is also evident in their years of collaborative efforts to grow Michigan’s innovation ecosystem. Together, they have developed, administered and championed state and institutional programs to support university innovation and innovators through venture capital seed funds for university startups, fast tracking university technologies into critical markets, and attracting entrepreneurial leaders to advise university innovators.

With enrollment of more than 159,000 students and nearly 40,000 degrees conferred in 2023, the URC’s four member universities are preparing talent in high demand by Michigan’s leading industries. This includes nearly 15,000 graduates each year in engineering, business and computer science.

“Michigan Tech’s addition to the URC marks a pivotal moment, amplifying our collective strength and significantly deepening our impact on Michigan, said Britany Affolter-Caine, executive director of the University Research Corridor. “By combining MTU’s research excellence, commitment to industry, and the URC’s established strengths, we will accelerate economic growth, create more opportunities, and deliver even greater benefits to Michiganders statewide.”