Research and scholarly activities are cornerstones of the university's mission. They advance knowledge and understanding, underpin instruction, improve the quality of life and enhance economic development.
Research, instruction and outreach programs span all of UM’s colleges and in FY 08 attracted $62.5 million in external grants and contracts. Faculty and students explore many areas: health sciences; ecology and the environment; natural and physical sciences; humanities and fine arts; education and social sciences; and business, law and international affairs, to name a few.
The units that report to the Office of Vice President for Research and Creative Scholarship help process research proposals, negotiate contracts with other entities, ensure compliance and assist the transfer of research results to the public domain via patenting and licensing of technologies.
In addition to the centers, institutes, and programs below that directly report to the vice president for research, many research-related Projects, Centers and Institutes are located throughout the University and often highlighted on individual academic pages.