Support Research, Innovation, and Creative Activity

Northern Arizona University's research enterprise strengthens educational experiences, encourages discovery and innovation, and promotes creative activity to benefit our region and society. Our work is enhanced by the generosity of alumni, parents, corporate partners, and foundations.

As a regional research institution, Northern Arizona University promotes discovery and application of knowledge to meet the priorities and challenges of Arizona's communities and rural areas. Our research activity produces economic benefits and leads to job creation in Arizona, and our students learn skills to become productive citizens and leaders.  University researchers, teaming up with undergraduate and graduate students, work on an impressive array of topics - understanding language acquisition, learning how diseases evolve and spread, discovering land management approaches that support healthy communities, developing wind energy strategies, and much more.

We value research as a key part of the unique NAU student experience. In 2009, 90% of our undergraduate students reported participating in a research-related or capstone experience, 65% reported involvement in solving real-world problems, and 35% had participated with faculty on a research project outside of the classroom. 

Northern Arizona University is the leading institution among its 16 peer universities for dollars brought in for undergraduate research. We rank highest among our peers for National Science Foundation support and for providing research experiences for undergraduates. 

External support for research, instruction and public service has been growing steadily in the past decade at Northern Arizona University.  From 2000 to 2009, expenditures from external sources nearly tripled from $37.9 million to $105.5 million. While external funding through competitive grants supports a broad array of valuable work, private funding allows us to invest directly in faculty and student research - providing the time and support to seed projects that can grow into much larger funded proposals.

You can help us advance the university's research objectives. A gift to the NAU Division of Research will support the university's research mission, support our most talented faculty, and expand hands-on opportunities for students. Contributions to the following two funds can be made by clicking on the link and filling out the simple on-line form, naming the fund you would like to support.

Vice President for Research Innovation Fund (Fund 4218)

The VPR's Innovation Fund supports new research initiatives and research related development. Items recently funded include graduate student research projects and travel, as well as equipment needed to carry out projects. The Innovation Fund also supports our faculty in developing  research concepts into much larger projects. Your support can help fund meetings with collaborators at other institutions, dissemination of research findings via books or conference presentations, and the writing of new proposals to heighten the level of research our faculty can conduct. Click here to give to this fund.

Undergraduate Research Fund (Fund 5210)

Involving students in research during their undergraduate years helps students discover their passions and direct their future careers. With financial support, an undergraduate student can pursue his or her interest in research rather than seeking an unrelated job off campus. The Undergraduate Research Fund provides direct support for individual students as well as the critical coordination and support to match students with opportunities. Click here to give to this fund.

Thank you for your interest in expanding and promoting Research at NAU. To learn more about our Research programs,  please contact Shelley Silbert, Director of Development for Strategic Initiatives at Shelley.Silbert@nau.edu or 928-523-7635