Innovation with Purpose. Impact at Scale.
The No. 1 public university in New England, UMass Amherst unites academic excellence with our land-grant mission, serving society and strengthening communities across the Commonwealth and beyond through pioneering research, industry partnerships, and breakthroughs that drive real-world solutions.
Annual Research Expenditures
Public Research University in New England for Non-medical R&D
Industry Partnerships Advancing Applied Science and Technology
Active Patents Driving Commercialization and Workforce Development
Annual Economic Impact on Massachusetts Economy
in Private Industry Awards
UMass Amherst: National Research Powerhouse
UMass Amherst is home to world-class faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and a culture of curiosity that drives bold, interdisciplinary discovery. As an R1 public flagship, our work not only advances scholarship—it delivers real solutions in health, climate resilience, health equity, AI governance, and global food systems.
Breakthrough Stories
What if cancer could be stopped before it starts? UMass Amherst cancer experts are pushing frontiers, harnessing nanotechnology to activate immune cells that can target and destroy cancer.
At UMass, our Food Science researchers study the role of nutrition to enhance health and prevent a range of chronic conditions.
With more than a dozen patents granted, award-winning researcher Schlomo Zilberstein is dedicated to ethical and socially responsible AI development.
From the lab to the field, UMass Amherst researchers are advancing agricultural technologies that make farming more productive, profitable, and resilient—putting innovation to work for the common good.
UMass engineers are expanding the frontiers in areas like gait rehabilitation for stroke survivors. With every step, we create more human impact.
From helping native plants thrive and growing city trees, to stopping tick- and mosquito-borne diseases before they spread, UMass Amherst researchers are developing solutions for healthier, more resilient communities.
A Landmark Investment in the Future of Engineering
Former Apple executive Dan Riccio's $50 million gift—the largest in UMass Amherst history—will fuel engineering excellence, scholarships, professorships, and future breakthroughs. This catalytic investment will strengthen the university’s research enterprise and accelerate engineering breakthroughs in Massachusetts and beyond.
UMass Amherst is the No. 1 public research university in New England in non-medical R&D expenditures, and holds the highest Carnegie Classification as an R1 university with "Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production."
Advancing Impact Across Fields
Across campus, our specialized research centers and institutes work to translate discovery into real-world solutions. Together, they bring bold ideas to life—driving breakthroughs that deliver meaningful change.
Accelerating translation from lab discovery to market-ready innovation.
Leading breakthroughs in AI, computational modeling, and algorithmic fairness.
Advancing clean energy, decarbonization, sustainable infrastructure, and community-engaged solutions.
Reimagining health care delivery through interdisciplinary design.
Integrating Indigenous and Western research approaches to drive community-based solutions.
Delivering applied policy research that strengthens the Commonwealth’s economic and civic systems.
Turning ideas into impact by connecting students with startups, industry partners, and expert guidance across Massachusetts.
Innovation that Strengthens the Region
UMass Amherst plays a central role in shaping Massachusetts’s innovation economy. Through strategic investment, industry collaboration, startup incubation, and workforce development, we generate $2.9 billion annually in statewide economic impact and fuel growth across Western Massachusetts. Our graduates remain in the region at one of the highest rates in the nation—strengthening communities, industries, and the civic fabric of the Commonwealth.
Driving Massachusetts Forward
Return on State Investment
of Alumni Remain in Massachusetts, Fueling the State's Innovation Economy
Massachusetts Employers Rely on UMass Amherst's Talent Pipeline