R1-2026 Research Initiative
The R1-2026 Research Initiative Working Group finalized in 2020 its recommendations to invest in moving the university toward an R1 Carnegie Classification. Those recommendations are outlined in the R1-2026 Research Initiative Working Group Paper and focus on making new investments in postdoctoral scholar and doctoral research support, while working to shift the university’s culture toward one of delivering results and expecting accountability in research and graduate education for all faculty.
The university is currently implementing the recommendations of the R1-2026 Research Initiative Working Group. In January 2021, the university announced investment of $3 million annually to execute the Working Group’s plan. Of that new investment, $2 million/year is focused on new postdoctoral fellowship, and $1 million/year is focused on new doctoral research assistantships. Details about implementation of this investment can be found on the P3-R1 website.
GROUP PARTICIPANTS
Brad Ritts, chair
Associate Vice President, Research
Chandra Zenner Ford
President’s Office Executive Sponsor
Lee Ostrom
Center Executive Officer, Idaho Falls
Jerry McMurtry
Dean, College of Graduate Studies
Ginger Carney
Dean, College of Science
Michael Parrella
Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
P. Michael Davidson
Institute Chancellor's Professor Emeritus, University of Tennessee
Amy Lientz
Director, Supply Chain – Energy Industry, Idaho National Laboratory
Shirley Luckhart
Faculty, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology
Rich Christensen
Director, Nuclear Engineering
Diane Kelly-Riley
Interim Vice Provost for Faculty
Lisette Waits
Department Head, Fish and Wildlife Sciences
Tom Ptak
Faculty, Geography
Barrie Robison
Faculty, Biological Sciences
Raymond Dixon
Department Chair, Curriculum and Instruction
Katherine Himes
Director, McClure Center for Public Policy Research
Russell McClanahan
Facility Manager, Integrated Research and Innovation Center
Trina Mahoney
Assistant Vice President, University Budget and Planning
Connor Hill
Graduate Professional Student Association Chair, Chemical Engineering
Jane Lucas
Postdoctoral Associate, Soil and Water Systems