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Transformational Research

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ research transforms lives. With two Carnegie R1 institutions and a $484 million research enterprise, we’re tackling society’s biggest challenges — driving breakthroughs in health, energy, agriculture, education and more.

When R1 Institutions and a National Lab Join Forces to Fight Cancer

What happens when , the , and launch a united front against cancer? A bold new initiative to revolutionize cancer treatment through precision radioisotope therapies.

Female scientist in a lab.

Research Partnerships and Facilities that Drive Innovation

By partnering with government and industry leaders — and leveraging access to some of the nation’s most advanced research facilities — the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System is pushing the limits of discovery and solving global challenges.

  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

    A partnership fueling groundbreaking research in energy, computing and advanced materials, leveraging expert talent and unique technology to tackle global challenges.

  • À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Research Park at Cherokee Farm

    Connecting industry partners with À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ expertise in fields like AI, energy and health care, providing state-of-the-art facilities for research.

  • À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute

    Developing top-tier scientists and engineers to meet emerging national technology needs and build America’s future workforce.

  • Institute of Advanced Composites Manufacturing and Innovation

    Pioneering advanced composites research through unmatched access to premium facilities and a powerful network of labs and industry leaders.

  • Centers of Excellence

    Centers of Excellence demonstrate À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s research leadership, emphasizing its expertise in complex, interdisciplinary fields. These centers position the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System as the state’s premier institution for tackling interconnected research challenges.

Tennessee’s Innovation Engine (FY2024)

  • 1 of 14
    public university systems with more than one R1 institution

    Our R1 Universities drive economic growth, job creation and recruitment of top-tier talent to the state.

  • $484M
    in annual research and development investment in 2023

    °Â±ð’r±ð and creating technology that shapes Tennessee’s future.

  • 1,974
    proposals submitted totaling $1.14B

    The breadth and competitiveness of the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System’s research enterprise drives funding and innovation.

  • 528
    unique sponsors of research awards

    The À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System’s dynamic research network fuels innovation, secures competitive funding and delivers real–world impact.

Exploring Bold Ideas Systemwide

From health care and criminal justice to humanities and beyond, research across the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System is shaping progress in Tennessee and around the world. Explore a sample of the bold, high-impact initiatives happening across our campuses and institutes.

  • À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Knoxville and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Institute of Agriculture researchers are pioneering a new era of precision medicine where amputees control prosthetics with their own muscles, military medics 3D print bones in the field and degradable materials guide bone repair before vanishing into the body.

  • À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Chattanooga’s Violence Reduction Initiative has been a monumental success, reducing firearm homicides by 27%, overall homicides by 36% and shooting victims by 42%, and now serves as a national model for City Crime Gun Intelligence Centers.

  • This globally recognized resource features over 900 articles and attracts millions of users worldwide, making it a vital academic tool in the field of philosophy.

For Employees: Resources for À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Researchers

Explore a wide range of resources within the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System to help you succeed in your research, including funding opportunities, advanced labs, expert support and collaboration with faculty, staff and students.

At À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, research isn’t just about breakthroughs in the lab — it’s about improving lives, strengthening communities and advancing knowledge that serves all of humankind.

Kari Babski-Reeves, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System Associate Vice President for Research and National Labs
Contact Kari Babski-Reeves
Kari Babski Reeves

Explore. Engage. Transform.

Across the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System, bold ideas are driving discoveries with real-world impact. Explore more research highlights — and connect with us to advance shared goals, spark innovation and build a brighter future for Tennessee and beyond.