Office of the Vice President for Research |

Services & Expertise

OVPR provides services and support to the University of Minnesota research community through our administrative units.

Research Initiatives

The University of Minnesota is a top-10 public research institution conducting breakthrough research across a broad range of fields and disciplines. Our researchers improve our understanding of the world, and they help facilitate technologies and ideas that improve our quality of life. OVPR supports several research initiatives and promotes the University's research mission.

COVID-19 Innovations

The Technology Commercialization team is aiding the fight against COVID-19 by moving relevant innovations into the marketplace, connecting potential industry partners with researchers, and adopting licensing guidelines that aim to expedite solutions that address the pandemic.

COVID-19 Innovations

Social Justice Impact Grants

The Social Justice Impact Grants (SJIG) aim to catalyze rigorous, solution-oriented research on social justice topics, including criminal justice reform, housing segregation/gentrification, systemic racism, achievement gaps, health disparities, environmental justice, and related topics.

Learn more about these grants

Learn more about the impact of University of Minnesota research and its role in advancing innovation and fostering economic development in the region. View research statistics.

10th

among US public research institutions

$1.04B

in systemwide research expenditures

87

COVID-19 rapid response grants awarded

From Inquiry

Explore the impact of research on our world.

View More from Inquiry

Researchers operate laboratory equipment that has been set up in a classroom setting.

Mid-Pandemic, UMN Research Guided Changes to Make Classrooms Safer

March 25, 2021

by Kevin Coss

Research into how HVAC systems affect the spread of COVID-19 helped inform a plan that made classrooms as safe as possible for in-person learning.

Categories:

Research & Discovery

A large number of empty plastic bottles compressed together for recycling

MnDRIVE Aims to Spark New Collaborations into Sustainable Plastics

March 26, 2021

by Kevin Coss

Researchers hope to replace petroleum-based plastics and polymers with bio-based alternatives that harmlessly biodegrade or can be better recycled for reuse.

Categories:

Research & Discovery

News & Announcements

View More Research News & Announcements

Annual Research Ethics Conference

Mar 17, 2021

On March 3, faculty, staff, students, and members of the broader national research community gathered virtually to discuss how the pandemic is changing research ethics.

VP for Research Cramer Lauds UMN Researchers for Strong FY2020 Results

Dec 11, 2020

In his Annual Report on the Status of Research and Technology Commercialization before the Board of Regents today, Vice President for Research Christopher J. Cramer credited University of Minnesota’s research community for record productivity and a remarkable pivot to COVID-19 safety protocols and COVID-19-related work.

Social Justice Impact Grants Announced

Nov 2, 2020

The Office of the Vice President for Research has announced a new grant program aimed at catalyzing rigorous, solution-oriented research on social justice topics. Program funding is 3-6 awards per year with total budgets of $25,000 - $50,000 for a 12 month period.