Computer Science, IT Students
Innovate in Virtual Reality World.Arrow Icon

Read More

On the Cutting
Edge of Treating HIV.Arrow Icon

Read More

Harnessing the
Power of the Wind—for Less.Arrow Icon

Read More

The War Against Toxoplasmosis.Arrow Icon

Read More

Here, Discovery is a Daily Occurrence.

The University of Nebraska has been a hub for groundbreaking research and innovative activity ever since we were founded to drive the growth of a state on the frontier of our nation. 

Today, our frontiers are found in the advancements we make in agriculture and natural resources, transportation and highway safety, early childhood education, nanotechnology and alternative energy. We also tackle a wide range of public health issues. With research in cancer, diabetes, organ transplantation, aging, and 

neurodegenerative diseases, we are improving the quality of life for people in Nebraska and around the world.

These endless interdisciplinary, inter-campus, and inter-institutional undertakings make it no surprise the University of Nebraska is among the top 30 U.S. public universities in research and development spending. Research funding has more than doubled since 2000, which has helped us build world-class facilities in Lincoln and at our Medical Center.

Research by Campus

Man checking a computer

Graduate Studies & Research at Kearney

Man working with gloves in a clean environment

Research & Innovation Lincoln

Pair of scientists working on a computer

Research at University of Nebraska Medical Center

Person walking on a treadmill

Office of Research & Creative Activity Omaha

Current Research

Finding Answers to Questions the World Didn't Know to Ask

A UNL researcher’s novel system for measuring brain health could change the way we treat stroke, Parkinson’s disease, autism and more.

Brain disease

Pioneering New Ways to Treat and Diagnose Brain Disease

This annual event is held each spring for UNK students to present their scholarly work through presentations, speeches, musical performances and art exhibitions. 

Student Research Day

Annual Student Research Day

UNK class partners with Custer County Historical Museum to organize a History Harvest to help preserve local history.

Preserving Broken Bow

Students Help Preserve Broken Bow’s History

UNMC/Nebraska Medicine’s new Mind and Brain Health Labs offers driving simulation and sophisticated data recording that will improve patient care.

Gobal Force in Neruology

Becoming a Global Force in the Neurological Sciences

The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools is working to support the country’s fastest-growing minority demographic by building family-school partnerships.

Child

Closing the Education Outcome Gap for Latino Students

The Nebraska Applied Research Institute, or NARI, builds on the groundbreaking academic research and has found a new home at UNO. 

Applied Research

Nebraska Applied Research Institute Created

Automation and fast food affect rural and urban residents alike. A UNMC pilot project will gauge heart disease risk among farmers to inform solutions.

Nebraska Farmers

Improving the Health of Nebraska Farmers

The mission of the Center for Afghanistan Studies is to empower Afghans to develop their economy and civil society, as well as to study and promote the uniquely beautiful cultures of Afghanistan.

Educate Significance Afghanistan

Educating others about the Significance of Afghanistan

A new study led by a UNO researcher shows one key element of shoe design can significantly impact the energy cost of walking.

Running Shoes

Researcher Finds Shoe Stiffness Impacts Energy Use

UNMC researchers receive $3.5 million grant from NIH to discover why traditional treatments of peripheral artery disease (PAD) aren't effective.

Advance Treatment for PAD

Advancing Treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease

Undergraduate research is a particular strength of UNK's learning environment. With many opportunities for funded research, students in all different areas of discipline are able to pursue deeper understandings of their subjects. 

Undergrad Research

Unique Opportunities for Undergraduate Research

UNL Libraries and computer science have teamed up to use visual cues – rather than text – to cull poems from historic newspapers.

Searching the News for Poetry

Facilities: Where the Real Work Happens

Empty seats in a lecture hall

Nebraska Innovation Campus Connects Big Thinkers

The new 232-acre, world-class research campus helps local companies, entrepreneurs, and university researchers collaborate on new ideas.

Exterior image of the Cancer Center

10-story Facility Aims to Change the Way we Treat Cancer

In 2017, the $323 million Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center will bring scientists and clinicians together in one place to work as a team, caring for patients and creating new cancer treatments.

 

Two people in biocontainment suits rolling a device out a pair of doors

Training The Nation for Ebola and Other Emerging Threats

The Biocontainment Unit was designed to provide a full spectrum of care, from quarantine to intensive care treatment. It is designed to handle everything from smallpox, SARS and avian influenza to the Ebola virus. It is staffed by 30 highly trained medical professionals who have special training in disaster management, cardiac life support and bioterrorism.

Laboratory bathed in green light

Lab Sheds Extreme Light on New Field of Research

The Extreme Light Laboratory’s high-powered laser, Diocles, produces the strongest light our planet has seen. It allows researchers to study conditions once found only on the Sun.

Exterior image of the Dunham Research Center

Research Tower Stands for Hope in Healthcare

In 2009, Durham Research Center II opened next to its twin, built six years prior. Together, the two towers enable groundbreaking research across more than 550,000 square feet of space.

Image of a large machine

Addressing Nation’s Largest Problems Through Nanoscience

Completed in 2012, UNL’s 32,000-square-foot Voelte-Keegan Nanoscience Research Center is nationally recognized in materials research science and engineering, nanoscience, and nanotechnology.

Exterior image of the Peter Kiewit Center

Collaborative Institute Melds Expertise From Lincoln and Omaha

Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) is an innovative educational and research institute that promotes collaboration and solution development in engineering and information technology.

Recent Awards and Recognition

2009 Professor of the Year Award
Rick Miller, Ph.D.

2015 Senior Scientist in School Psychology Award
Susan Sheridan, Ph.D.

2013 Excellence in Medical Leadership Award
Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D. FACS

2010 Chancellor’s Strategic Planning Award for Academic Excellence
Nicholas Stergiou, Ph.D.

2016 Innovation, Development and Engagement Award
Elliot Ostler, Ed.D.

2016 Innovation, Development and Engagement Award

Elliot Ostler, Ed.D.

How to Benefit from Our Expertise

We’re always looking for new opportunities to change and be changed for the better. And we're particularly excited about ventures that foster entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness in Nebraska. Explore our current partnerships, become a partner yourself, or get involved in our tech transfer efforts.

Click here to see us in action: University Technology Development Corporation

Put New Technology to Work

Our tech transfer partners help us to grow ideas into tangible, innovative solutions that we could not create alone.

Click here to see us in action: UNeMed Click here to see us in action: NUtech Ventures

Solve Problems

We are in constant collaboration with public and private businesses, organizations, and agencies to solve real-world issues through research.

Click here to see us in action: Nebraska Innovation Campus

Strengthen Communities

We have the resources, insight and interest to make a positive impact on the communities we call home.

Click here to see us in action: UNO Community Engagement Center
$514

Total FY2018 research expenditures, in millions

$385

Annual economic impact on Nebraska from our research, in millions

207

Patent applications from NU research in 2018