Since World War II, the US government has prioritized research, particularly investing in basic research that reveals fundamental truths about nature. New technologies, disease therapies and solutions to real world problems rely on scientists figuring out these basic truths.
Unfortunately, federal spending on research is now in serious jeopardy. While previous generations of scientists received bipartisan support for research, today agencies like the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education and Department of Energy are experiencing drastic cuts to their budgets, directly impacting research at UO. These cuts will result in fewer faculty members leading research programs, training students and even commercializing the intellectual property they sometimes create.
Discovering and disseminating new knowledge is core to the university’s mission. The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) supports the university’s research centers and essential core facilities and provides strategic investment, leadership, and vision for the university’s entire research enterprise.
Your gift to the Vice President for Research and Innovation Fund will advance research in the following ways:
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities. Research experiences allow students to explore and clarify their academic and professional goals while developing critical thinking and important workforce skills.
- Research Core Facilities. The University of Oregon is home to a range of world-class research core facilities that provide researchers, industry partners, and students with access to the latest instrumentation and services. These facilities support scientific research by providing specific technologies, equipment, data acquisition and analysis, and expertise.
- Graduate Student Support. Graduate students are critical contributors to the research mission of the university. Doctoral students spend several years on primary research for their dissertations, under the direct mentorship of faculty members. These students learn through experience- designing experiments, analyzing data and disseminating their findings in publications and presentations.
Right now you have the opportunity to unlock a challenge gift from an anonymous donor of $100,000 to support research at UO. We just need 25 gifts to unlock this challenge!
We have an opportunity to double down on research during these challenging times. Your gift can ensure that UO’s research mission weathers this storm and continues to improve people’s lives by expanding human knowledge.
