Research Universities: America’s Competitive Advantage
Our 71 member research universities deliver breakthroughs that improve our nation's economy, security, and health. Since WWII, federal investments in university research have fueled American prosperity and might.
Our Members Are Engines of Innovation
4,516
Startup companies formed by AAU members over the years that, as of 2024, are still basing their business on the university technology
4,963
U.S. patents issued in 2024 based on groundbreaking university research, opening the door to new products and technologies
592
Startup companies created in 2024 alone as a direct result of new scientific discoveries made by research universities
Latest News From AAU
Organizations from Well Beyond Academia Sound Alarm on OMB’s Proposed Grantmaking Changes
- Leading Research Universities Report
Senate Passes Bill Temporarily Blocking OMB’s Proposed Revisions to Federal Grantmaking Processes
- Leading Research Universities Report
Boston University's New Financial Aid Program Covers Tuition for Families Earning Less Than $200,000
- Articles
AI-Driven Autonomous Labs? They’re Here – and NSF Is Investing Millions to Create Them at AAU Institutions
- Leading Research Universities Report
The Nation’s Federal Funding Source for Education Research Hangs in the Balance
- Leading Research Universities Report
Many AAU Institutions Among DOE’s First Genesis Awards for AI Driven Science
- Leading Research Universities Report
Study Shows Early-Career Scientists in the U.S. Are Rethinking Their Future in Academia
- Leading Research Universities Report
NSF Is Making Fewer Grants, Threatening the Future of Scientific Discovery
- Leading Research Universities Report
Our Federal Policy Advocacy Priorities
We advocate for federal investment in university education, which provides the homegrown, high-skilled workforce of tomorrow. This keeps our nation prosperous and competitive.
We advocate for policies that attract the brightest minds and best ideas from around the globe to our nation’s research universities for the benefit of the American people.
We advocate for federal investment in financial aid that ensures students from all backgrounds have access to a world-class education.
We advocate for federal investment in university research that saves lives, helps our military, creates new businesses, and strengthens our economy.
We advocate for policies that improve the effectiveness, integrity, and security of federally-funded university research, while protecting our system of open science.
We advocate for tax policies that promote charitable giving, support university research, and help make high-quality education more affordable for students and families
Latest Research and Impact Stories from AAU Members
For the tiniest patients, new USC tech brings clearer MRI images
University of Southern California
Researchers use AI, digital twin tech to make air travel more efficient, resilient
University of Florida
Resource Library
Take a closer look at the ways we support research universities.
Featured Topics
Document Types
Stay Current on University Research and Higher Education Policy
Sign up for the Leading Research Universities Report, AAU’s weekly newsletter, to get the latest news impacting university research and higher ed policy, as well as updates about the groundbreaking work being done at America’s leading research universities.
