Person working in a laboratory with a clear tube, partially obscured with a deep blue radial dot pattern

“Research is about preparing for the
problems that lie ahead, anticipating
those problems today, and being ready
with the solutions” 

Shashank Priya, VP for Research and Innovation

Driving Innovations that
Improve Life for Everyone

Research at the University of Minnesota combines the power of extensive
and collaborative research disciplines and proven market expertise to create
innovations that benefit society. 

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) helps facilitate collaborative research designed to solve our most complex problems.

Learn more about RIO

12th
among US public research institutions
$1.35B
in systemwide research expenditures
286
startup companies launched since 2006
People walking fast (depicted by a blurred/movement effect) along UMN's Scholar's Walk

Research Impact
______________

Person wearing a cap with wires and tabs for monitoring brain activity. Entwined rings with a light bulb symbol.
man in professional attire and glasses posing for a photo

University of Minnesota Press Director Douglas Armato Announces Retirement

October 22, 2025

University of Minnesota Press Director Douglas Armato announced he will retire at the end of December, concluding 27 years of influential leadership that transformed the Press's scholarly and digital profile.

Middle school students in protective gear as they learn about the clean room at the MN Nano Center.

Nano Day 2025 Makes a Big Impact with Small Science

October 17, 2025

The University of Minnesota marked its first annual Nano Day on October 9, 2025. Co-hosted by the Minnesota Nano Center and the International Institute for Biosensing, the event gathered students, educators, researchers, and industry leaders to explore the theme "Small Science, Big Impact."

group of individuals in professional attire smiling for a photo

2025 Innovation Impact Case Award Winners Honored at RIO Luncheon

October 17, 2025

On October 13, RIO honored the 2025 Innovation Impact Case Award winners Richard Graves and Rebecca Shlafer at a luncheon with Vice President Shashank Priya.

image of Minnesota, United States, and Sartell flags with Niron Magnetics signage pictured

University of Minnesota Startup Breaks Ground on First Full-Scale Magnet Facility in Minnesota

October 14, 2025

University of Minnesota startup Niron Magnetics has broken ground on a new 190,000-square-foot facility in Sartell, Minnesota, marking a major step toward large-scale production of its rare-earth-free permanent magnets.

Research Technical Staff Award -- Research and Innovation Office.

RIO Recognizes Ten with 2025 Research Technical Staff Awards

October 14, 2025

The Research Technical Staff Award recognizes staff for their distinguished service to the University of Minnesota research community and celebrates exemplary leadership that positively impacted their colleagues and advanced the University's mission.

Paper cut art scene focusing on environmental, structural and social impact.

University of Minnesota Selected to House U.S. National Science Foundation Center on Resilience

October 2, 2025

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) at the University of Minnesota will house the National Office for the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Resilience Innovation Incubator (NSF R2I2) program.