Research at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ

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America's Arctic research university

ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ is the principal research university for the statewide University of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ system.
Our research engages undergraduate and graduate students so they gain skills and knowledge to become tomorrow's leaders.

By the numbers

$246.3 million

in research expenditures for 2024

17,473

published journal articles

Triple crown status

Land, Sea, and Space Grant institution

News

A bicyclist rides a snowmachine trail as it winds through wind-sculpted snowdrifts on a frozen river on a sunny day. On the left, deciduous trees rise above a cutbank. On the right, farther away, a rocky bluff topped with spruce trees towers above the river. In the distance, a line of mixed forest marks a far bank.

Apr 24

A few weeks ago, as my friend Forest and I rode our bikes on the vast white sheet of the frozen Yukon River downstream of Galena, the river forced us into a 90-degree hard left. There, the channel suddenly necked down from being almost a mile wide to just a quarter mile.

A woman, Georgia Houde, stands in front of a woodshed half-full of firewood.

Apr 22

It can take significant time and effort to turn an Interior ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ spruce or birch tree into dry firewood, but a recent study demonstrates ways to shorten and improve the efficiency of the process. Georgia Houde will discuss the findings of the study conducted by University of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Fairbanks researchers Jessie Young-Robertson and Matt Robertson in a free webinar from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29.

A round outdoor thermometer mounted on a snow-covered tree reads about minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a quiet, snow-blanketed forest of tall birch and spruce trees. Long blue shadows stretch across the deep snow under a clear sky. The image shows extreme cold conditions at a home in Two Rivers, ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, on March 11, 2026.

Apr 21

March brought a series of dangerous and disruptive weather events across ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. Severe cold combined with powerful storms to affect communities statewide, according to the monthly summary from the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Climate Research Center.

Events

Arctic Research Open House participants on ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ's West Ridge outside the Geophysical Institute and International Arctic Research Center
Arctic Research Open House

Thursday, May 14, 2026
ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ West Ridge

Join ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Research for an inspiring day on West Ridge at Troth Yeddha' for the Arctic Research Open House on Thursday, May 14, from 4–7 p.m. This annual event is hosted by the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.

From Fairbanks roots, ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ research branches across science, engineering, and creativity, sprouting new solutions for ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and the Arctic. You’ll meet the researchers behind the work and see how ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ research shows up in your community. Each stop gives you something real to engage with, from lab experiments to field campaigns, all rooted in solving problems faced by you and fellow ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñns. To celebrate the Fairbanks community and the work happening across campus, the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Vice Chancellor for Research will host a free ice cream social.

Access to events and parking will be FREE across West Ridge. All ages are encouraged for this free event, minors must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, or to make an accommodation request at least five days in advance of this event, , email ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ-Research@alaska.edu or call 907-474-6000.

Research calendar

 

Research enterprise

ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ does high-quality research in a large number of fields. We're one of only a handful of institutions in the country that can claim the triple crown status of Land, Sea and Space Grant Institution. 

Achieving R1 at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ

With more than $200 million in research activity each year, the University of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Fairbanks is ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ's research university. We are ready to step up to R1 and join the top 4% of research universities in the United States.