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

Unearthing Potential: Startup Makes Geothermal More Efficient

February 4, 2021

by Kevin Coss

Darcy Solutions' systems provide greater heating and cooling capacity using less above-ground space, making them easier to install in existing buildings.

Categories:

Business & Technology

Illustration of many people, with some shaded red to indicate infection

CIDRAP: Two Decades of ‘Straight Talk’ on Infectious Diseases

January 22, 2021

by Kevin Coss

In addition to COVID-19, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy has helped the world prepare for and respond to many other disease threats.

Categories:

Research & Discovery

News & Announcements

View More Research News & Announcements

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.

Three UMN Technologies Among TechConnect Innovation Awardees

Nov 11, 2020

Researchers from the UMN College of Science & Engineering were recently named recipients of the 2020 TechConnect Business Innovation Awards.

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.