The Costs of Doing Research

Most people working in research laboratories at UC San Diego may not realize it, but the cost of doing research on campus isn’t completely covered by the grants and contracts the university receives. Some of these “Facilities and Administration” costs—such as maintenance, renovations, security, as well as light and heating bills—are paid for through negotiated agreements with our federal, state and other sponsors. And a large fraction is paid for by the university itself. This video explains this process and why the long-term partnership with the federal government and universities has been so critical to the conduct of academic research. You can also read more here.

Vice Chancellor for Research

Sandra A. Brown

Welcome to the wide world of research at UC San Diego. As you'll see from the diverse array of organizations and functions we oversee or support, the Office of Research Affairs plays a key role in the university's billion-dollar research enterprise. From our innovative and interdisciplinary Organized Research Units to the offices which manage the incredibly complex business of contracts and grants, we work, often behind the scenes, to ensure that faculty, postdoctoral scholars, staff and students have the resources they need to excel in scholarship, research and discovery.

The Office of Research Affairs provides value-added services that help our scholars and scientists compete for, win, and administer grants; streamlines administrative processes; oversees key research collaborations; helps speed discoveries to the marketplace; builds partnerships with industry and other institutions; and helps bring the next generation of researchers into our classrooms and labs.

Help Support Our University – And Others

As a member or friend of one of the top public research universities in the nation, you undoubtedly know how federal government-funded research has been crucial to driving our economic prosperity and competitiveness; advancing health and conquering diseases; addressing environmental sustainability and enhancing quality of life; and ensuring national security.

Please help ensure that UC San Diego and our sister campuses can continue to address the scientific, technological and health challenges facing California and the nation by reaching out to your members of Congress and asking them to support investments in federal research funding.

Thank you for your support of our university and all University of California campuses. Add your voice here.

How UC San Diego Will Become #1 in EV Resources

Our community-wide plan to move into the #1 position in the U.S. for campus and community electric vehicle resources. Read more. 

Hot Topics Newsletter

The Office of Research Affairs provides timely notices to the research community on important information, policies updates and regulatory initiatives and changes. 

• Hot Topics - December 2017 (PDF)
• Hot Topics - September 2017 (PDF)
• Hot Topics - June 2017 (PDF)
• Hot Topics - March 2017 (PDF)
• Hot Topics - December 2016 (PDF)
• Hot Topics - September 2016 (PDF)
• Hot Topics - June 2016 (PDF) 

 

Research News

Global Climate Action Summit 2018

The Global Climate Action Summit took place September 12-14 in San Francisco. The goal was to bring together people from around the world in support of climate action. The theme was "Take Ambition to the Next Level." Several of UC San Diego's faculty and leadership attended.

UC San Diego and Deerfield Management Create Poseidon Innovation to Advance Disease-Curing Therapeutics

Through Deerfield’s $65-million commitment in Poseidon, UC San Diego investigators will have the funding and support to weather risky early-stage processes and expedite the drug-development cycle, allowing patients to receive treatment faster. Read more here.

UC San Diego and UCLA Led UC System in Commercializing Inventions

UC San Diego and UCLA led the University of California system during the 2017 fiscal year in the number of commercial startups based on campus inventions, according to a report released this week by the University of California’s Office of the President. Read more here.

UC San Diego’s ‘Proof-of-Concept’ Awards Move Campus Health Innovations to Market

Nine teams of UC San Diego students, faculty and other researchers who have developed novel innovations that could improve various aspects of health care, have been awarded proof-of-concept awards designed to help bring their campus inventions to commercial use. Read more here.

Battlefield 101 - Veterans are taught how to use combat skills to start companies

San Diego is home to one of the largest concentrations of military veterans in the nation—some 250,000 retired service members. But the transition to civilian life for many of those who have started second careers in this military-friendly community isn’t always easy. Read more here.