Research

Physics graduate and undergraduate students work on projects in the Newman Laboratory.
Research matters.
Exceptional faculty and facilities, focused on solving society’s most urgent challenges.

Research with Impact

Collaborating across disciplines, Cornell faculty and students push the boundaries of knowledge and translate findings into real-world outcomes.

200+
Interdisciplinary Centers, Institutes and Programs engaged in research
$1.61B
Invested in Cornell research (FY24)
50+
Cornellians honored with Nobel Prizes for their extraordinary contributions to knowledge and society
3,200
Full-time jobs provided by Cornell start-ups since 2020
$768M
Economic impact generated by Cornell Tech, its alumni and startups in New York City (FY24)

Research for our Planet

Cornell research teams are pursuing partnerships to tackle complex global challenges that affect us all – from protecting the world’s water systems using snail-inspired robots to scoop up microplastics – to minimizing waste and optimizing poultry health using upcycled brewers’ grain.

Purpose-Driven Science

Cornell researchers seek to create knowledge, deepen our understanding of the world, and apply findings for lasting impact — from local to global scales.

“Cornell really encourages you to work with your peers, and with that, students can create and pursue things that haven’t been done before, just out of their sheer will to do something cool.”
—Ashley Padres '26, Cornell Engineering

A History of Progress

From inventing chicken nuggets to exploring the solar system and unlocking DNA sequencing, Cornell research has propelled society forward since our founding in 1865.

1967

At its opening, the Wilson Synchrotron is Cornell's largest single construction and the world's largest particle accelerator.

1968

Robert W. Holley wins the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

1977

Cornell astronomers and astrophysicists are extensively involved in the missions of Voyager 1 and 2 to explore the outer solar system.

2014

Michael King and team use two proteins to create white-blood cells that obliterate metastatic cancer cells.

2023

Underwater robot Icefin provides an unprecedented look inside a crevasse in the Ross Ice Shelf.

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Research matters.

We are making history that impacts our future.

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A Culture of Collaboration

From Ithaca to New York City and across the state, Cornell scholars combine their disciplinary expertise through more than 200 centers, institutes, programs, and laboratories.

An Engine for Innovation

Working across a network of public and private partners and entrepreneurs, Cornell accelerates translation of ideas and research into products, technologies, and companies with real-world impact and drives regional and state economic growth.

Contact

Cornell Research & Innovation
222 Day Hall, Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-7200
Interim Vice Provost for Research: interimvpr@cornell.edu
Vice President for Innovation and External Engagement Strategy: vp-innovation@cornell.edu