RIO News & Announcements
The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) oversees the $1.3 billion annual research enterprise at the University of Minnesota, a top public research university. RIO works with a broad range of units and partners to advance the research mission and tracks key research metrics for the University.
UMN Research Newsletter
UMN Research is a monthly newsletter produced by RIO focused on news and announcements for the University's research community. Sign up for the newsletter and submit content.
UMN Washington Update
The UMN Washington Update is a weekly digest of congressional updates and funding opportunities prepared by Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. See the latest UMN Washington Update.
Media Inquiries
Direct media inquiries to:
JoonHyung Cho
Assistant Vice President for External Affairs and Communications
224 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
[email protected]
Recent RIO News & Announcements
RIO’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence Program
The Artist-in-Residence Program brings together artists with scientists to spur creative thinking and innovation. Funding supports a creative interpretation of scientific research and discoveries at UMN.For 2026, LOIs are due August 10 and full proposals September 9.
RIO Program Awards Nearly $3 Million to Support UMN Research Infrastructure
The Research and Innovation Office has awarded Research Infrastructure Investment Program funds to eight outstanding projects for its 2026 cycle. One-to-one matching funds provided by supporting units resulted in over $2.88 million in total funds awarded.
National Security Research Institute Opens Fall 2026 Seed Grant Cycle
NSRI seed grants will help advance national security research and education at the University while connecting PIs to the NSRI’s initiatives. For the fall 2026 cycle, the program will fund up to two awards of up to $95,000 each for one year.
RIO and GPS Alliance Announce Four Winners for the UMN-SNU Research Partnership Seed Grants
The newly launched UMN–SNU research partnership seed grants will advance international technology and scientific collaboration by linking University of Minnesota PIs with shared expertise at Seoul National University. In its inaugural round, the program has awarded approximately $160,000 in total funding to four interdisciplinary projects across two colleges.
RIO Awards Twenty-Four Grant-in-Aid Projects for Spring 2026
The Research and Innovation Office has awarded 24 grants as part of the Spring 2026 Grant-in-Aid program. The awards have been presented to principal investigators representing 12 colleges and two campuses.
RIO Awards $570,000 to Six Projects Advancing National Security Innovation and Beyond
RIO and NSRI have selected six projects to receive the first NSRI Seed Grants. These grants are focused on catalyzing innovative research that addresses high-priority national security challenges.
RIO Seeking Nominations for the 2026 Research Technical Staff Award
This award recognizes 10 research staff for their significant contributions and distinguished service to the UMN research community with personal honorariums of $2,000 each. Submissions are due June 1, 2026.
Introducing LINC: A New Era of Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The University of Minnesota formally launches Learn-Innovate-Network-Collaborate (LINC), a strategic initiative to span research silos, bring cross-disciplinary researchers together, and share our knowledge and resources.
Building Minnesota’s Pipeline: 2025 Innovation Minnesota Annual Report Highlights Strategic Alignment
Innovation Minnesota has released its 2025 Annual Report which outlines a strategic model for a continuous, connected innovation pipeline linking early education and research universities with industry partners and government priorities.