The University of Kentucky supports and empowers innovative research in all forms practiced across our diverse campus, varied disciplines and more than 70 centers and institutes. UK faculty, staff and student researchers create, discover and apply new knowledge, and explore the most complex problems facing Kentucky, the nation and the world. Our collaborative, cross-disciplinary research environment provides a rich training ground for the next generation of thinkers, creators and leaders.

Research and development at UK has a direct economic impact on Kentucky. The $527.7 million UK spent on R&D in FY24 generated $937 million in economic activity across Kentucky. As a result, 4,712 jobs were supported throughout the state of Kentucky, with 2,376 (50%) of those jobs directly supported by research initiatives.