UK Research News

Three people wearing white lab coats and blue gloves examine a flowering plant on a laboratory workbench. One person gestures toward a stem while the others observe closely. Laboratory cabinets and scientific equipment are visible in the background.

The Bill Gatton Foundation Professorships 2026 announced, advancing Kentucky through innovative research

Jul 20, 2026, 7:53 AM

Thirteen UK faculty members in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment are the 2026 recipients of The Bill Gatton Foundation Professorships.

A person pours material from a cup into a funnel atop a transparent, wood-framed seed-sorting machine during a workshop demonstration.

UK launches Appalachian seed entrepreneurship project with $1.7M ARC grant

Jul 17, 2026, 9:14 AM

The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment a $1.7 million grant to strengthen local food systems and expand seed-based entrepreneurship.

Chart showing FY26 awarded grants and contracts totaling $502.5 million, up 1.1% from FY25. Funding sources: federal (57.9%), state (25.2%), other (7.7%), private (5.5%) and industry (3.7%).

Research awards exceed $500 million, power UK mission to advance Kentucky

Jul 17, 2026, 7:24 AM

UK investigators received $502.5 million in extramural grants and contracts to support their research in fiscal year 2026.

Videos

Kopana Terry sits at an office workstation with a camera, microphone, headphones and computer displays showing images of historic interiors. The workspace reflects efforts to document, preserve and study cultural heritage sites.

Documenting disaster: Kopana Terry’s oral history research

Jul 8, 2026, 7:56 AM

Kopana Terry, the oral history archivist at the UK Libraries Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, is examining how the rapid loss of buildings during natural disasters affects the psychological well-being of survivors.

Students wearing virtual reality headsets sit at classroom tables using handheld controllers while an instructor smiles nearby. The group participates in an immersive learning experience using VR technology.

Registration open for Enviropods July summer camps

Jul 8, 2026, 7:29 AM

Enviropods is a free summer program where students track floods, map landslides and chase storms.

students stand in front of a research poster with the wildcat mascot

UK Office of Undergraduate Research marks 25 years of student discovery, impact

May 27, 2026, 1:47 PM

UK's Office of Undergraduate Research celebrates 25 years of empowering student discovery through mentorship, funding and hands-on research opportunities.

Podcasts

an astronaut in a blue jumpsuit hugs a spacecraft capsule

From Kentucky to deep space: UK research supports Artemis II return, future exploration

May 26, 2026, 7:16 AM

On this edition of “Behind the Blue,” UK researchers share how their work made NASA's latest “Mission to the Moon” possible.

'Behind the Blue': The science of March Madness

Mar 19, 2026, 7:29 AM

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue,' we talk with experts at UK in social work, neurology, aging and sociology studying the kinds of unique moments March Madness brings into focus.

‘Behind the Blue’: Lindsay Ragsdale on growing pediatric health care and supporting Project ADAM

Feb 6, 2026, 7:39 AM

In this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Dr. Lindsay Ragsdale discusses her career at UK, the role of palliative care, the growth of the children’s hospital and her own son’s experience as a pediatric cardiology patient.

Messages from the Vice President for Research

Jacobs Science Building on the campus of the University of Kentucky

Cellular Genomics and Imaging Core

Jul 14, 2026, 9:48 AM

UK's College of Arts & Sciences Imaging Center has been renamed the Cellular Genomics and Imaging Core and joins the Office of the Vice President for Research.

University of Kentucky Main Building through green trees

Apply for Associate Vice President for Research Integrity

Jul 1, 2026, 9:52 AM

Qualified UK faculty members please consider applying for the Associate Vice President for Research Integrity position by July 20, 2026.

Ronald Bruntz to lead Mass Spectrometry Core

Jun 29, 2026, 9:44 AM

Ronald C. Bruntz has been appointed Director of the Mass Spectrometry Core, one of the shared-use research facilities supported by the OVPR

Reports

UK Research Annual Report Fiscal Year 2025

Apr 13, 2026, 2:32 PM

The UK Research Annual Report provides a snapshot of UK’s research: from record-breaking research grants & contracts to statewide economic impact.

UK Research Annual Report Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021

Oct 14, 2022, 7:13 AM

The UK Research Annual Report provides a snapshot of UK’s research: from record-breaking research grants & contracts to statewide economic impact.

RCTF Endowment Match Program 2020-2021 Annual Report

Jan 12, 2022, 11:46 AM

Endowment Match Program Impact Since 1998, The University of Kentucky has used the Endowment Match Program to: Create 98 endowed chairs (85 were filled in FY20-21) Create 217 endowed professorships (171 were filled in FY20-21) Create 260 fellowships, enrichments and mission support projects to support research and the William T. Young Library View Chairs & Professorships