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

Close up shot of VP Cramer listening to a researcher speak in a laboratory

VP Cramer: Commitment to Excellence Pervades UMN

May 19, 2021

by Kevin Coss

As his departure from academia nears, Chris Cramer reflects on his time at UMN, the strengths of the research enterprise, and misconceptions about academic research.

Categories:

Vision & Impact

Top-down view of Spintronics game pieces connected together

Changing Gears: Startup’s Next Mechanical Game Teaches Electronics

May 26, 2021

by Kevin Coss

Three years after launching the Turing Tumble to teach computing concepts using marbles, Paul Boswell and his team are bringing a second game to market.

Categories:

Business & Technology

News & Announcements

View More Research News & Announcements

Kyle Shelton, PhD, to Lead Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota

May 3, 2021

Kyle Shelton of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University in Houston has been named the next director of the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies (CTS).

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.