Office of Research and Economic Development

Powering innovation in our communities, industries and ecosystems

The thrill of discovery fuels everything we do at University of Idaho (U of I). Since 1889, we’ve been solving real-world challenges through groundbreaking research, immersive learning and a commitment to innovation.

As Idaho’s only Carnegie R1 research university, we’re among the top 4% of research institutions in the nation — a distinction that brings national resources, top-tier faculty and transformative opportunities to our state.

R1 classification means more than prestige. It means:

• Stronger partnerships with industry and government
• Greater investment in innovation and infrastructure
• Expanded opportunities for students to lead research and launch careers
• Real-world impact in health, sustainability, agriculture, technology, the arts and more 

R1 research, Idaho roots

Our R1 classification places U of I among the top research institutions in the nation — but the benefits of that designation are felt right here at home.

From safeguarding Idaho’s world-famous potato industry with disease-free seed stock to revolutionizing wildfire science and forest management through AI and LiDAR, U of I research directly serves the state’s people, industries and ecosystems. We're helping solve Idaho’s most pressing challenges — addressing affordable housing, advancing rural healthcare and developing solutions for sustainable water use and clean energy.  

Research here isn’t confined to labs and lecture halls. It’s embedded in communities, informed by partnerships and driven by a mission to improve life across Idaho. And because we put students at the heart of every project, tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, teachers and entrepreneurs are gaining skills and experience to carry that impact even further.

This is research with purpose — research that strengthens industries, serves communities and changes lives across Idaho and beyond.

Vandals don’t wait for change. We make it happen. 

University of Idaho research impact FY24

Statewide research serving every corner of Idaho

U of I leads research that directly impacts communities across the state. With research centers, extension offices and field sites in every region, our work goes beyond our campus to address Idaho’s unique challenges and opportunities. From precision agriculture and wildfire mitigation to water conservation and rural health, U of I researchers partner with industry, government and communities to deliver innovative solutions. Our statewide presence ensures that discoveries made here benefit all Idahoans where they live and work.

Discover statewide impact

University research institutes  

U of I is home to multidisciplinary institutes that bring together researchers, students and our partners in academia, industry and government to explore new frontiers, solve problems and generate ideas. On campus, the Integrated Research and Innovation Center serves as a hub for this mission, housing a variety of projects and groups to further discovery.

Learn more about these efforts

Spaces built for breakthroughs

Discovery thrives in the right environment. Our cutting-edge facilities across Idaho are designed to fuel innovation, spark collaboration and accelerate solutions. From exploring deep soil ecosystems to advancing next-gen water technology, our students and researchers tackle critical challenges in hands-on environments.

Explore facilities and resources

Student research at UIdaho

Research is a core part of the student experience at U of I. Students engage in research at every level, from undergraduate through graduate studies, gaining practical experience and contributing to projects that address the needs of Idaho and its people. Students work alongside faculty, industry partners and community organizations across a wide range of fields. Whether through research-based degrees in the College of Graduate Studies or opportunities with the Office of Undergraduate Research, students are an integral part of U of I’s research community.

Partner with University of Idaho  

The Office of Research and Economic Development at U of I connects businesses and industries with university researchers. Through a process called technology transfer, discoveries made at U of I are turned into real products and services by partnering with companies or launching startups.

Explore business and industry partnerships

Vandals turn research into impact

At University of Idaho, research isn't confined to labs or lecture halls — it's out in the field and woven into communities across the state. Our faculty and students make discoveries that matter. Stay updated on the stories and events that are shaping Idaho and the world.

News and events

Meet the people driving innovation

Behind every breakthrough at U of I is a team of experts dedicated to supporting research across disciplines. Get to know the people who make discovery possible.

Our people

Our research approach

We aim to break boundaries and forge new paths — a mindset that drives our academic programs and collaborative research — connecting departments, colleges, businesses, industries and other organizations.

We approach research through a sense of discovery, with the goal of advancing our world — from how our society functions to the ways businesses impact the environment. We don’t go about this alone. We’ve developed partnerships with agencies that fund our research and allow our insights to have an effect beyond our campus. U of I’s work contributes to scientific innovation and provides businesses and organizations, including the USDA and Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fishing Commission, with data for enacting change.

We often start with a question and consider new and different solutions to formulate answers. We also observe challenges in our own backyard — from water quality to land management to agricultural processes — and the ripple effect they have across the globe.

With this purpose, our research:

• Increases awareness and understanding of diseases
• Strengthens crops and improves land and water use in agriculture
• Addresses our changing climate and creates a more sustainable human ecosystem
• Improves food safety
• Grows our understanding of how humans interact with technology
• Applies evolutionary and computational biology to enhance human wellbeing and addresses agricultural concerns
• Surveys and maps the region’s geologic features
• Explores applications of data analytics and data science
• Spurs creative and scholarly projects in the humanities, social sciences and performing arts
• Advances the state’s agricultural efforts and natural resource conservation

Along with faculty-led and organization-sponsored programs, the Integrated Research and Innovation Center’s flexible, modular environment helps get ideas off the ground. The MILL at the U of I Library lets students familiarize themselves with the latest technologies, including 3-D printing and audio and video production.

Our technologies

We’re always thinking ahead and ready to forge a new path. A broad spectrum of technologies guides our efforts:

• Optical imaging
• Computing and data analysis
• Materials fabrication and characterization
• Equipment for genomics and DNA analysis
• Animal care and holding rooms
• Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Learn more about our technological capabilities and facilities