Carolina’s research impact

Carolina is a world-class research university where great ideas turn into outcomes that improve the quality of life for all people. Our work also fuels North Carolina's economy, supporting businesses, meeting community needs and caring for our citizens. We train future leaders with hands-on learning experiential opportunities in labs and field sites across the state and globe.

Learn how the University’s research serves North Carolina, the nation and beyond.

By the numbers

UNC research impact

No. 9 ranked research university in the nation
No. 7 public research university in the nation
More than $1 billion attracted to the state's economy each year
All 100 NC counties benefit from Carolina's research
3,200 NC businesses supported by UNC Research
2,402 projects directly addressing the needs of NC residents

‘Spread the good news of research at Carolina’

Video by John Roberts,
University Communications

Every day, students, faculty and staff at UNC-Chapel Hill contribute to Carolina’s research impact, groundbreaking work that improves the quality of life for all people.

Chancellor Lee H. Roberts and Vice Chancellor for Research Penny Gordon-Larsen encourage Tar Heels to explore the “life-changing power” of research conducted by Tar Heels.

Press the play button above to watch the video

UNC Research is North Carolina

From Alamance to Yancey counties, Carolina’s researchers study specific issues impacting North Carolina residents. We investigate new cancer therapies, develop technologies to address Alzheimer’s disease and research brain injuries in veterans.

UNC-Chapel Hill’s research enterprise invests in all communities and provides jobs to North Carolinians. The dedication and passion of our researchers translates into positive impact for the entire Tar Heel State.

Explore how Carolina’s research touches every corner of our state.

Impacting NC residents and beyond

The stories of Carolina research

NC Collaboratory project builds resilience after hurricane
Assistant professor Antonia Sebastian describes her work in flood modeling and flood hazard research.
Robotics work heralds ‘discovery factories’
Carolina scientists define lab automation and create AI that enables a robot to work beside humans.
Home-based monitoring improves quality of life
In a study led by UNC Lineberger's Dr. Ethan Basch, cancer patients reporting symptoms electronically had fewer emergency visits.
Nursing research leads to AEDs in Chapel Hill parks
Two emergencies and advocacy by a Carolina nurse scientist sparked 24/7 outdoor access to lifesaving defibrillators.
Reducing overdoses is personal for Eshelman researcher
Grace Marley, who lost a brother to overdose, wants to make naloxone accessible and affordable.
Research collaboration turns into clot-busting startup
The technology behind SonoVascular, which combines drug-based and mechanical therapies to treats patients with blood clots, was created by researchers in the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Hear from our VC for Research

Research VC explains true costs of research
Penny Gordon-Larsen, vice chancellor for research, writes about the proposed cap on federal research funding.
Understanding the value of research administration
F&A costs are shared investments that the federal government makes to ensure our global competitiveness and leadership in science and innovations that save and transform lives, protect and defend our national security, feed our nation, and more.
The enduring impact of research investments
For decades, sustained investment from our state and federal partners has nurtured the rich research ecosystem we benefit from today, Penny Gordon-Larsen writes.

Research in the news

Neutrinos are shrinking, and that's a good thing for physics
John Wilkerson, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences' physics department, discusses the significance of their recent findings and the role neutrinos play in understanding our universe.
Study shows Cape Fear Health Opportunities Pilot saves Medicaid money
A recent study from the School of Medicine demonstrated how the state's Health Opportunities Pilot lowered Medicaid costs for members.
Carolina researchers develop new way to recycle tires
UNC-Chapel Hill researchers develop a new method to break down rubber, opening possibilities for recycling old tires into useful industrial materials such as adhesives, wind turbines and automotive parts.
Multiple species of ticks in the US can transmit red meat allergy, CDC reports reveal
Jennifer Platt, adjunct assistant professor at the Gillings School of Global Public Health and co-founder of Tick-Borne Conditions United, discusses the significance of recent reports identifying black-legged ticks as transmitters of red meat allergy.

View the impact of Carolina’s research

Learn more about Carolina research

Read more about Carolina’s research efforts in The Well, the University’s newsletter. It sends twice a week over the summer and three times a week during the academic year.

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