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 Lewis-Burke Associates. 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
Exploring the Future: Pi Day Virtual Field Trip 2026
The University of Minnesota participated in its first virtual Pi Day field trip on March 10, 2026. Co-hosted by the International Institute for Biosensing and the Minnesota Nano Center and in partnership with the AI hub, the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and TwinCities IEEE Section, the online event gathered over 100 students, educators, and researchers to explore the power of “Pi” in our modern world.
2026 Innovation Impact Case Award: Open for Applications April 6
This award is open to all eligible UMN faculty and researchers. It recognizes research that has led to significant impact outside of academia and has made a meaningful difference in our communities. Submissions are due May 11, 2026.
From AI to Animal Welfare: Exploring the Shifting Landscape of Research Ethics
The University of Minnesota’s annual Research Ethics Week took place March 2–6 and brought together over 1,800 members of the scholarly community to navigate the shifting landscape of research integrity.
University of Minnesota Alum Benjamin Magruder Named 2026 Schmidt Science Fellow
University of Minnesota alum Benjamin Magruder has been named a 2026 Schmidt Science Fellow, receiving a prestigious $110,000 annual stipend to pivot from computational polymer physics to biochemical research on neurodegenerative diseases.
New Seed Grant Partnership with Seoul National University
UMN–SNU research partnership seed grants will help advance international research and technology collaboration at the University while connecting PIs to shared expertise at Seoul National University. In 2026, the program anticipates funding approximately four awards of up to $40,000 each for one year.
Register Today! BTAA Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Conference
Join the University of Minnesota and the BTAA from April 20–22, 2026, for a free virtual conference featuring national experts and practical sessions designed to integrate ethics and accountability into every stage of the research enterprise.
Innovation in Practice: Advancing Animal Welfare at UMN
The University of Minnesota’s recent Animal Welfare Symposium highlighted how the integration of innovative "new approach methodologies" and the 3Rs is advancing the ethical frontier of biomedical research while maintaining scientific excellence.
Annual Report Highlights Strength, Impact of University of Minnesota Research
On February 12, 2026, Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Joanne Billings presented the annual report on the state of the University’s research enterprise to the Board of Regents.
Research Computing Exhibition - April 23, 2026
The 17th Annual Research Computing Exhibition will showcase the breadth of research supported by Research Computing resources.