UK Research News

NSF releases $1.5 billion for foundational research

Aug 21, 2026, 2:16 PM

On August 17, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) released $1.5 billion in competitive funding.

Person using a square sampling frame to examine grass in an outdoor field, with a clipboard and water container nearby.

UK turfgrass research targets the annual bluegrass weevil to help protect Kentucky’s golf courses

Aug 21, 2026, 7:33 AM

At the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), the Department of Entomology is studying a newly arrived pest affecting turfgrasses commonly found at golf courses.

Researchers pose in an office displaying academic diplomas, awards and professional plaques on the wall. One person sits at a desk while another stands nearby, illustrating a collaborative research or clinical research team in a university setting.

UK graduate researcher leads landmark methamphetamine treatment systematic review

Aug 18, 2026, 7:14 AM

UK doctoral student Alexandra Johansen authored a comprehensive review of methamphetamine use disorder treatments, highlighting research gaps and promising targets for future medication development.

Videos

UK turfgrass research targets the annual bluegrass weevil to help protect Kentucky’s golf courses

Aug 21, 2026, 7:33 AM

A person sits in a recording studio during a video interview. A camera, lighting equipment and microphones are visible in the foreground, capturing the subject against a dark backdrop while a monitor displays the live video feed.

Making history accessible: Doug Boyd’s CURATE research

Aug 12, 2026, 7:37 AM

Doug Boyd is transforming access to oral history through CURATE-supported research, using innovative indexing tools, community partnerships and AI technologies to make more than 21,000 historical interviews searchable, discoverable and accessible.

Poster for The Keeping Space, a documentary featuring Shelia Lackey, showing a dimly lit hallway with blue walls and the film title in large yellow text.

UK researcher shines light on maintenance work in ‘The Keeping Space’ documentary

Aug 5, 2026, 7:22 AM

UK researcher and filmmaker Jena Seiler explores the value of often-overlooked maintenance work in The Keeping Space, an award-recognized documentary.

Podcasts

A professor teaches in front of a classroom whiteboard covered with scientific diagrams and notes while students listen from their seats.

‘Great Teacher’ Robin Cooper helps students see science beyond the classroom

Aug 17, 2026, 7:25 AM

Robin Cooper, professor in the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, is one of this year’s distinguished Great Teacher Award recipients.

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.

Messages from the Vice President for Research

NSF releases $1.5 billion for foundational research

Aug 21, 2026, 2:16 PM

On August 17, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) released $1.5 billion in competitive funding.

Forthcoming NSF Research Security Policy on Collaborations with Restricted Entities

Aug 4, 2026, 1:34 PM

We want to make you aware of a Dear Colleague Letter issued by the NSF on July 8, 2026, signaling a forthcoming NSF policy that would prohibit NSF-funded collaboration with entities on various U.S. government-restricted parties lists.

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.

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