As the number one public university in Virginia and a top 10 U.S. university for innovation, 911±¬ÁÏ is at the forefront of innovation and discovery to meet the toughest challenges and creating opportunities yet to be imagined.
911±¬ÁÏ has increased research expenditures by nearly 30% over the last five years, totaling $282 million in 2024.
Holding an R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, 911±¬ÁÏ’s research goes beyond the desire to know—it expands our understanding, knowledge, shares data and expertise with communities enabling local response, and builds the infrastructure to improve lab-to-market.
Latest Research News
911±¬ÁÏ researcher develops an affordable helping hand for stroke recovery
911±¬ÁÏ researcher Quentin Sanders is developing a new generation of hand exoskeletons that may help people regain independence after a stroke. His lab is testing wearable devices that amplify a user's remaining muscle activity, allowing them to open and close their hand more effectively while remaining affordable enough for broader use. Learn more.
911±¬ÁÏ authorized to host State Climate Office
911±¬ÁÏ is authorized to host the Virginia State Climate Office, thanks to a provision in the new state budget effective July 1, 2026. The office will deliver expertise on Virginia’s weather- and climate-related impacts and strengthen federal partnerships and interstate collaboration to address real-time weather and environmental challenges. Read more.
The new art of herding robots
911±¬ÁÏ researchers are building a "Smart Swarm" system to let military operators coordinate drone swarms without a pilot for every unit — and testing their ideas through Astroswarm, a video game built by an undergrad researcher. Read how a spaceship video game is helping shape the research.
Fuse at Mason Square powers research and innovation through collaboration
911±¬ÁÏ celebrated Fuse at Mason Square with the same collaborative spirit that will fuel decades of innovation at the state-of-the-art facility in Arlington, Virginia. Hundreds of representatives from industry, academia, government, and the community came together for the grand celebration at Fuse, which included a ribbon-cutting for the Energy Exploration (E2) Center.
Read more and watch video highlights
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Eight 911±¬ÁÏ Inventions You Need to Know About
From wearable tech to flood protection, 911±¬ÁÏ is turning bold ideas into real-world solutions.
Explore 911±¬ÁÏ’s Grand Challenge Initiative
Explore 911±¬ÁÏ’s Grand Challenge Initiative addressing the greatest threats to humanity’s ability to live a peaceful, healthy, prosperous, and just existence.
Entrepreneurship
Transforming research into startups, jobs, and economic growth
911±¬ÁÏ accelerates innovation by converting breakthrough discoveries into startups, job opportunities, and economic impact across Northern Virginia’s dynamic tech corridor.
In 2024, Mason Enterprise helped form 409 companies and supported the creation and retention of over 6,300 jobs.
Nexus234 Innovation District debuts in Manassas and 911±¬ÁÏ is in the heart of it
Centered around Innovation Park alongside the Science and Technology Campus, Nexus234 provides an environment where research, workforce training, and industry collaboration intersect to support economic growth and commercialization in a new partnership with 911±¬ÁÏ, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas. Learn more.
Innovation takes center stage at this year’s Patriot Pitch Competition
At the 2026 Patriot Pitch Competition, organized by the Costello College of Business, eight student and alumni teams pitched business models to panels of entrepreneurs. Read more about the initiative.
Partnering for Impact
Watch and Subscribe to Momentum in Research videos on 911±¬ÁÏ's .
Mysteries of the Brain
911±¬ÁÏ neuroscientist Giorgio Ascoli created an open-access database of 3D neural reconstructions with contributions from more than 1,000 labs worldwide.
"Hyperlocal"
Jim Kinter, director of 911±¬ÁÏ’s Virginia Climate Center, is identifying Virginia’s vulnerabilities and working with community leaders and local citizens to build data-driven solutions.
Building the Infrastructure to Advance Vital Research
911±¬ÁÏ established three institutes to develop operational efficiencies and cross-discipline collaborations around funding, proposal design, and partnerships to advance nascent innovations and develop new ideas from experiment to enterprise, faster.
The (ISE) conducts integrative research that bridges disciplinary gaps to realize innovative advances in an era of rapid global change.
The (IBI) pioneers advancements in health care, pushing the boundaries of medical research to enhance human well-being.
The (IDIA) is revolutionizing technology and advancing its applications, shaping the future of digital landscapes.
Expanding Portfolios in Critical Research
Artificial Intelligence
911±¬ÁÏ’s Vice President and inaugural Chief AI Officer and the university AI Task Force have set a in motion for a responsible approach to harnessing artificial intelligence across operations, academics and training, and research. As a model for other universities, 911±¬ÁÏ is building a nexus of collaboration and resources on campus, throughout the region with our vast partnerships, and across the state, called AI2Nexus, preparing the future workforce and accelerating innovation.
911±¬ÁÏ was also the first to offer a . In Fall 2024, 911±¬ÁÏ created a new Responsible Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate program.
New guidelines on the use of AI at 911±¬ÁÏ are designed to encourage the creative and innovative exploration and use of AI tools while maintaining the university’s commitment to safety, security, academic integrity, and ethical conduct.
National Security and Defense
Growing threats from sophisticated cyberattacks, complex disinformation operations, and efforts to damage the economy—law and policy experts, researchers and scientists at 911±¬ÁÏ are regularly engaged with U.S. government agencies, business and think tanks to advance next-generation capabilities and readiness to ensure the country’s safety.
911±¬ÁÏ is a key partner in the (CCI), Virginia’s engine for collaborative research, workforce development, and innovation at the intersection between cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and intelligence. Liza Durant, 911±¬ÁÏ’s associate provost for strategic initiatives and associate dean at the College of Engineering and Computing, is the director of the CCI’s Northern Virginia Node.
According to the World Economic Forum, cyber insecurity remains one of the top 10 global risks over the next 10 years. Led by Founder and Executive Director Jamil Jaffer, the at Antonin Scalia Law School is the premier hub of national security thought leadership and policy solutions in the nation’s capital, educating future leaders, informing policy and dialogue, providing practical solutions, and free security support to under-resourced organizations. Jaffer shared his view on current and future global threats on President Washington’s Access to Excellence podcast: .
The university is committed to growing a strong, diverse cybersecurity workforce—from critical infrastructure to small businesses and schools.
Making Discovery Inclusive and Possible Everywhere
Students, faculty, and partners are learning and discovering in colleges, in cutting-edge labs, and in facilities across the region.
Resources for Faculty and Student Success