Research Impact
UNC Research Impact
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the 9th largest research university in the United States.
Carolina’s excellence in specific research areas propelled its growth in expenditures by $190 million in the latest fiscal year.
Research is a major driver of innovation and economic growth across North Carolina. UNC-Chapel Hill annually attracts more than $1 billion to the state’s economy to fund research that creates a better quality of life for all its citizens.
1st ranked research university in North Carolina
7th ranked public research university in the nation
9th ranked university in the nation for research expenditures
For the State, By the State
All 100 N.C. counties are affected by research at Carolina
3,200 N.C. businesses are supported by UNC Research
62% of all UNC System research is conducted by UNC-Chapel Hill
Areas of Research Excellence and Strategic Focus
Research areas that provide impact to the citizens of our state and beyond
Preventing & Curing Diseases
Harnessing our unique strengths in clinical, public health, and basic sciences to make transformative discoveries that protect and improve health.
Curating cancer care
Carolina researchers are using CAR-T cells to create better and personalized cancer treatments in one of the largest cell therapy facilities on the East Coast.
Creating artificial cells that act like living cells
Ronit Freeman and her lab use innovative approaches to build functional cells, bridging the gap between synthetic and living materials.
5,700+
participants actively enrolled in clinical trials
Accelerating Environmental & Renewable Solutions
Empowering our extraordinary expertise in fundamental, theoretical, natural, environmental, and applied sciences to engineer solutions for a healthier planet.
Harnessing solar energy and making liquid fuels
Carolina chemists have created a technology that can split water into its component parts, opening the door to more options for alternative energy.
Positioning Carolina as a leader in battery technology
UNC-Chapel Hill is embarking on a groundbreaking project that aims to position the school and the state as leaders in lithium-ion battery research and development.
35+
programs, centers, & institutes contribute to environmental research
Optimizing Brain Health & Well-being
Leveraging Carolina’s extensive strengths in neuroscience and biomedical imaging and informatics to improve health and well-being across the life course.
Cutting drug overdoses
A project led by epidemiologist Nabarun Dasgupta monitors the state’s illicit drug supply and offers alerts to protect North Carolinians through an online database.
Studying the impact of technology, social media on adolescent brains
Psychology and neuroscience researchers study the link between technology use and adolescent mental health.
2nd
for federally funded social & behavioral science research & development
Building Healthy & Resilient Communities
Applying the talents of our top-ranked health affairs, population and public health, theoretical, social and behavioral sciences, and arts and humanities to improve the well-being of all people.
Revealing how natural disasters affect schools and communities
Cassandra Davis uncovers hardships faced by communities in the wake of disasters and advocates for advanced recovery efforts.
Introducing the Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation
The new interdisciplinary research and innovation hub will leverage the expertise of faculty and students from various disciplines across campus to address complex challenges.
2,402
research projects directly addressing the health education, or well-being of N.C. citizens
Applying AI to Benefit & Save Lives
Transforming data assets into actionable knowledge for lifesaving innovations while equipping researchers with new AI resources to work more efficiently, gain deeper insights, and make groundbreaking discoveries.
New precision oncology center will use data science to speed cancer diagnosis
The Cancer Identification and Precision Oncology Center will also support personalized treatments by quickly collecting and analyzing a wide range of health data.
Revolutionizing pregnancy care with AI-enabled ultrasounds
Researchers have shown that an AI-enabled, low-cost handheld ultrasound device can provide accurate gestational age estimates when used by health care workers with minimal training.
900+
AI-related proposals submitted by Carolina researchers since January 2023
Every Undergraduate Student is Required to Participate in Research
Research is deeply interwoven into our academic mission, providing a training ground with hands-on and experiential learning opportunities for students
