About Research at UNF
The University of North Florida offers an innovative model for the role of research in an urban comprehensive university. High-quality scholarship is expected from every tenure-track faculty member, and the University accordingly features an enviable portfolio of basic, applied, and translational research activity that in many disciplines enjoys an international reputation. And yet, as a public master's university with a very high undergraduate population, the University also emphasizes the engagement of undergraduates in the vibrant research enterprise. Large numbers of our students graduate having been directly involved in faculty-mentored research-and often as collaborators with faculty on conference papers and published articles.
An urban university with a mission that includes serving the region of northeast Florida, the University of North Florida is increasingly investing in faculty and student research activity that is responsive to a range of community partners-research that meet locals needs and opportunities while contributing solutions to global challenges. This includes interdisciplinary research on topics such as transportation and logistics, coastal sciences, advanced manufacturing, applied health, and advanced data analytics. Supporting these efforts are 20 centers and institutes, several analytical service facilities, two field stations, and dedicated administrative units that proactively help faculty and students secure the resources they need to conduct significant research.
The University of North Florida's research standing is improving rapidly. In the past few years, the University has moved up 39 places in the international University Rankings of Academic Performance report, and institutional citation rates are routinely double that of peer institutions when scaled for faculty size. Since 2013-2014 alone, the value of external funding awards made to the University has increased by more than 40%, to almost $13 million. This includes numerous competitive grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the US Department of Education, and the Small Business Administration, among other federal and state agencies. Partnerships with industry account for more than 20% of externally funded research, anchored by major collaborative agreements with local companies. The University also has a rapidly growing portfolio of inventions that are actively moving towards commercialization, both through licenses with international corporations, local startups, and university spinoffs.
Research at the University of North Florida is increasingly impactful-for students, for regional partners, and for solving larger challenges-and many opportunities remain to grow it even further.