During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the University of Notre Dame continued its trajectory of research growth, submitting the most proposals and receiving the of external research awards in the institution鈥檚 history.
鈥淚 want to congratulate our amazing faculty, staff, and students for their incredible success in pursuing new opportunities that address significant technological and societal challenges, while also training the next generation of ethically grounded leaders,鈥� said , the John and Catherine Martin Family Vice President for Research and professor in the .
鈥淲hile the macroeconomic picture is remarkable in this 鈥榗hange of era鈥�, the long-term impact our researchers will have is far more important. By advancing discovery and fostering innovation, our dedicated scholars carry on the mission of the University to be a 鈥榩owerful means for doing good鈥�, both in this country and across the globe,鈥� Rhoads added.
Described below are several federal awards given to researchers across the University鈥檚 Colleges and 91视频s this past year:
Predicting the impact of building materials
Researchers in the received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a low-cost, easy-to-use method and tool for estimating the lifetime environmental impact of building materials, from production and construction to use and retirement. The artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tool, designed in conjunction with scholars in the , will enable the evaluation and improvement of small- to medium-sized manufacturing practices to meet sustainability requirements, while also contributing to workforce development by offering instructional materials and research opportunities.
Exploring unique facets of the human experience, both new and old
Three researchers in the were awarded fellowships from the National Endowment of Humanities, spanning second-century Roman architecture, resistance movements in 20th-century central and eastern Europe, and human flourishing in the age of AI. Learn more about these projects .
Leading innovation in advanced welding technology
Researchers in the , in collaboration with South Bend-based company Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI), will develop new rail-joining technology with funding from the Federal Railroad Administration in the US Department of Transportation. The local partnership will bring together MTI鈥檚 world leadership in friction welding and Notre Dame鈥檚 expertise in materials engineering to bring a new and better rail joining process to the railway industry while providing opportunities for student training in the process. Learn more about this collaboration .
Dismantling the defenses of bacterial pathogens
Researchers in the received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a new class of molecules capable of mitigating antibiotic resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is responsible for hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations in the United States each year.
Pioneering new pathways for time-dependent data analysis
With support from the Department of the Army, researchers in the will pursue a new, AI-driven method to streamline data analysis for the study of human behavior over time, a crucial capability for monitoring the performance of military personnel under dynamic conditions.
The University also received a number of awards from foundations and industry partners. Key highlights include:
Developing a faith-based approach to AI ethics
The was awarded a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the formation of, a faith-based approach to AI ethics providing practical resources for scholars, faith leaders, tech leaders, teachers, journalists, young people, and the broader public to help navigate the challenges posed by rapidly developing AI. Learn more about the grant here.
Combating poverty through support and mentorship for entrepreneurs
Faculty members in the received support from The Coca-Cola Company in North America to expand the reach of the (UPBI), which helps underrepresented populations create and grow independent businesses. The funding enabled UPBI to expand into 13 additional cities, where it aims to support at least 50 disadvantaged business owners annually in each partner location, in addition to training and equipping another 2,400 entrepreneurs over the next three years. Learn more about Coca-Cola鈥檚 support and its impacts here.
Supporting the formation of future Catholic leaders
Theologians in the received a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support a new program designed to bolster the talent pipeline for theological leadership within the Catholic Church. The initiative will support students in the Master of Arts and Master of Divinity programs by providing clearer pathways for study, and alleviating financial barriers. Learn more about the award and the effort it supports .
Strengthening postpartum care for Indiana mothers
With support from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, practitioners at the partnered with Beacon Health System to pilot a new, first-of-its-kind postpartum care model in the South Bend-Elkhart community. The model provides new mothers with up to a year of clinical assessments, standardized education, and peer support in group sessions to improve physical and mental health outcomes. Learn more about this project here.
Enhancing city services with predictive modeling
Researchers at the are partnering with the City of South Bend to improve the city鈥檚 311 Call Center with support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge. The partnership will leverage AI to identify and deliver needed services to city residents. Learn more about this partnership.
Accelerating national innovation in advanced propulsion systems
Researchers at are partnering with North Wind, an independent national security firm with a focus on advancing hypersonic technologies and capabilities through cutting-edge research and system development. North Wind works across the industry to expand the nation鈥檚 hypersonic test infrastructure and is developing a mobile testing capability that interfaces with the Notre Dame Ignition Park Test facility, one of few facilities in the country capable of supplying clean, continuously flowing air at conditions representative of Mach 4 flight. The combined capabilities will be demonstrated in an inaugural test campaign designed to accelerate the design-build-test cycle for advanced propulsion systems鈥攁 critical objective of the national security strategy.
Inspired by its Catholic mission and founder Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C.鈥檚 vision for the University to be 鈥渙ne of the most powerful means for doing good鈥� in the world, Notre Dame鈥檚 world-class faculty and students are pursuing globally significant, solutions-oriented projects to drive insights, innovation, and impact. Notre Dame Research advances this mission by growing, strengthening, promoting, translating, and safeguarding research, scholarship, and creative endeavor at the University of Notre Dame.
Rhoads concluded, 鈥淲e are grateful to all of the agencies, foundations, private individuals, and industry partners who have supported research at the University. Together, we are not only advancing human knowledge, but delivering real-world solutions that make our global community safer, healthier, and more resilient.鈥�
To explore the University鈥檚 research funding and awards further, including historical trends and current activity, please visit .
Contact: Brandi Wampler, associate director of story development, 574-631-2632, brandiwampler@nd.edu
Originally published by at on October 20, 2026.