UAB becomes Alabama’s first member of the Association of American Universities, giving the state a place in a research university group that includes Johns Hopkins, MIT and Stanford.

The university announced it has accepted an invitation to join the organization, which recognizes leading universities in the United States and Canada for the strength of their research and education.

The recognition follows years of growth at UAB, where annual research spending has increased from $379 million in 2013, when President Ray L. Watts took office, to more than $915 million. University leaders say that growth represents work that reaches well beyond campus.

“UAB has significantly increased its research portfolio in recent years, and President Watts often reminds us that research expenditures don’t just represent dollars — they represent saving and improving more people’s lives,” said University of Alabama System Chancellor Sid J. Trant.

Founded in 1900, AAU evaluates universities using measures that assess the breadth and quality of their research and education. UAB and Georgetown University joined this week, bringing the organization’s membership to 73 institutions. They are its first additions since 2023.

AAU President Barbara R. Snyder said the universities’ work contributes to advances ranging from medical treatments to agriculture and national defense.

“We look forward to working together with both of them to continue advancing and improving higher education and driving the critical American university research and innovation behind the breakthroughs that strengthen the U.S. economy, lead to new cures and treatments for Americans, help hardworking farmers do better, and help protect our military service members in the field,” Snyder said.

UAB President Ray L. Watts credited the university’s faculty, staff, partners and trustees with helping earn the invitation.

“Being asked to join the AAU is an honor that recognizes the great work and results driven by UAB’s talented faculty and staff, the support of our public and private partners, and the unwavering dedication of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts, M.D.

“I want to thank the AAU Board and Membership Committee for recognizing UAB among the distinguished institutions that compose this prestigious association. We look forward to contributing to the AAU’s important mission.”

For Alabama residents, UAB’s reach includes jobs, health care and opportunities to earn a degree. The university and its Health System employ more than 37,000 people, making UAB the state’s largest employer.

The Health System includes 15 hospitals. On the education side, UAB offers more than 180 degree programs and has welcomed its largest-ever freshman class in two consecutive years.

Its research strength also extends across several health-related schools. According to UAB, the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research ranks its School of Health Professions ninth nationally for National Institutes of Health funding, followed by the School of Nursing at No. 11, the School of Dentistry at No. 15 and the Heersink School of Medicine at No. 28.

In addition, 12 Heersink departments and divisions rank among the nation’s top 25.

UAB joins several other Southeastern universities in AAU, including Duke, Emory, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and the universities of Florida and North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Provost Janet Woodruff-Borden said the recognition reflects the university’s work across both research and education. UAB has also invested in continued growth through its Research Strategic Initiative and Student SUCCESS initiative.

“AAU membership is an indicator of UAB’s broad excellence across educational and research programs,” said UAB Provost Janet Woodruff-Borden, Ph.D. “It is gratifying to know that other distinguished institutions recognize UAB as an AAU peer, and we will not rest.

“We have invested in future growth through our Research Strategic Initiative and Student SUCCESS initiative and will continue to build the kind of positive momentum that earned AAU’s recognition.”

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].