Innovation & Impact
REVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
At UMass Amherst, you’ll find a community of innovators proudly committed to translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact—from discoveries that advance medicine and technology to efforts to confront pressing social challenges and adapt to the effects of climate change. Here, researchers partner with government, nonprofits, and industry alike to serve the Commonwealth and the common good.
From Lab to Market
Explore some of the inventions coming out of UMass research labs, which are helping to drive our economy forward.
Real-World Impact
In Research Awards (FY25)
In Awards from Private Industry (FY25)
Industry Research Partnerships Annually
Public Research University in New England
Funding Awarded by National Science Foundation
of the World's Most Highly Cited Researchers
(Clarivate Analytics, 2025)
of the Best Scientists in the World
(Research.com, 2024)
How do UMass Amherst researchers bring inventions and research discoveries to the marketplace? The university has a robust innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem to help at every step along the way.
A Powerful Economic Engine
Annual Economic Impact
On Massachusetts Economy
Return on State Investment
University With "Very High Research Activity"
UMass Amherst researchers regularly collaborate with private companies large and small, such as Amazon, Apple, Embr Labs, BASF, PUMA, and Saint-Gobain. Our Charles River Campus is a hub of research-industry collaboration and student-focused experiential learning, where academic programs align with high-demand areas while internships, co-ops, and practicums offer students meaningful real-world experience and industry connections.
UMass's Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) fosters the creation and advancement of new ventures and product candidates based on discoveries from faculty, students, and collaborators. By translating fundamental research into innovative products, technologies, and services, IALS is advancing human health and well-being while strengthening Massachusetts’ innovation ecosystem.
External Grants and Investment to Startups
Funded by Manning IALS Seed Grants
Startup Companies Supported by IALS
NSF Accelerating Research Translation Award (2024)
Support UMass Amherst's Research Mission
Consider a gift
Learn how your gift can help sustain UMass Amherst research to benefit society, from finding cures to devastating diseases to developing a more sustainable global food supply, safer technology, cleaner water, and more equitable access to education and social mobility.