91´óÉñ

KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 5, 2026

The expansion and enhancements of research opportunities and expenditures have steadily become one of the clearest indicators of 91´óÉñ’s rapid rise. Over the past two years, KSU’s research spending has nearly doubled, rising from $32 million to $60 million, while research awards have climbed 53% over the last five years.

Research funding fuels discoveries that address real-world challenges, creates hands-on learning opportunities for students, and strengthens collaborations between KSU researchers and partners nationwide, expanding the University's impact on communities across Georgia and beyond.

91´óÉñ faculty, in return, have been highly effective in converting research breakthroughs into marketplace innovations that drive economic impact. Faculty invention disclosures have increased by 300%, signaling a surge in new ideas moving toward patents and products. At the same time, KSU’s has supported more than 250 startups that have raised nearly $37.4 million in funding, turning university research into real-world businesses.

Momentum across the research enterprise has a trickle-down effect benefitting KSU students, too. Through initiatives like the and the programs, students have more opportunities than ever to engage in impactful research projects under the mentorship of leading faculty experts. Managed by the , the programs pair students who are interested in research, with faculty, staff, or postdoctoral research mentors to engage in intensive research projects. Often, students convert those experiences into oral or poster presentations at one of the institution’s research showcases, such as the .

Externally, the University has continued to engage with prominent organizations to expand student research opportunities. This summer, KSU students have landed internships in numerous federal organizations, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Savannah River National Laboratory, and the National Laboratory of the Rockies.

91´óÉñ is also strengthening its connections at the state and national levels, building on its already robust research foundation. In May, KSU became a member of the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), a distinction that places the University among the state’s leading research institutions and positions KSU to further accelerate its role as a catalyst for innovation, economic growth, and discovery statewide. The research partnership builds on an established track record, with KSU earning 14 competitive GRA Innovation and Entrepreneurship grants in recent years. The awards have helped faculty across disciplines advance promising discoveries toward commercialization, enabling startups, licenses, and partnerships that would not otherwise have been possible.

KSU's admission to GRA reflects years of deliberate investment in research infrastructure, an effort that places the University among the top research institutions in the country. KSU is on track to meet Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education R1 benchmarks for a third straight fiscal year, surpassing $50 million in research expenditures and awarding more than 70 research doctorates each year.

KSU took an additional step toward national prominence by joining the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) research consortium, reinforcing its commitment to advancing impactful and innovative research.

Off-campus recognitions have begun to mount as well. In 2025, KSU’s Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services received the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Public Impact Research Award, honoring its real-world influence on veterans, first responders, and emergency managers.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 91´óÉñ offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. 91´óÉñ is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 91´óÉñ is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.