Well maybe because:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has held the prestigious "R1" classification—denoting "Very High Research Activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education—since 1994. As a top-tier research institution, UAB has maintained this status for over three decades. Key details regarding UAB's research status include: Decades-Long Status: UAB has been recognized as a top research institution since 1994.Funding Records: In fiscal year 2023, UAB reached an institutional record of \(\$747.5\) million in research funding.Distinction: UAB is distinct from other Alabama institutions, such as the University of Alabama (UA), which achieved R1 status later in 2018.