Research

Research at UNC-Chapel Hill, a billion-dollar venture, has quadrupled over the past 15 years, firmly establishing Carolina as one of America’s top-ranked research universities.

Student works with chemicals.

Collaborative approach, world-renowned research

Cures and treatments for disease. New technologies. New industries for North Carolina and the world.  At Carolina, we tackle tough challenges with multidisciplinary teams of top scientists and students whose diverse perspectives deliver creative, unprecedented solutions. As one of America’s top research universities, we conduct roughly $1 billion in research annually. We provide dedicated service to our sponsors and unprecedented opportunities for graduate students, postdocs and undergraduates.

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Facts & Figures

  • 11thlargest U.S. research university (research volume & annual expenditures)
  • 5thin the U.S. for federal research among public and private universities
  • $1.10 billionin annual research activity
  • 62%of all UNC system research performed by UNC-Chapel Hill
  • For every $1of state funding, research centers & institutes attract $8 from external sources

Serving North Carolina,
Changing the World

Carolina is a world-class research university where great ideas and creativity flow, innovations are put to the test, and discoveries are made.

  • Restoring rural China

    While the United States and China take up roughly the same amount of land mass, China’s population is over four times that of the U.S. — and more people means more change in vegetation growth. How do these factors connect to climate change?

  • Sea turtle secrets

    How do sea turtles navigate using Earth’s magnetic fields? To shed light on this incredible ability, doctoral student Kayla Goforth observes the orientation of their eggs — often in the middle of the night.

  • Inspiring the next generation

    At Carolina, women are conducting groundbreaking research, addressing global challenges and making lasting impacts in their fields. They're also helping to inspire the next wave of researchers who will help answer and solve the world's toughest problems.

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