The Office of the Vice President for Research

OVPR Centers, Institutes and Initiatives

The 17 cross-disciplinary centers, institutes and initiatives reporting to OVPR provide enhanced interaction to the research program by drawing on faculty expertise from more than one department, school or academic unit. Institutes may offer degree programs.

The UGA policy on centers/institutes includes considerations for development of new centers/institutes. OVPR can provide advice and guidance regarding formation of new centers/institutes.
The official list of all formally approved centers and institutes at UGA is maintained by the Office of Academic Planning.

Bioenergy Systems Research Institute (BSRI)

Facilitates collaborative basic and applied research projects across the bioenergy lifecycle; educates and trains the next generation alternative energy workforce; and engages public and private stakeholders in the development and dissemination of next-generation bioenergy technologies. Visit site ›

Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute (BHSI)

Facilitates and promotes interdisciplinary research and instructional efforts in the fields of biomedical and health sciences. Visit site ›

Center for Applied Isotope Studies (CAIS)

A multidisciplinary organization dedicated to research and development of nuclear analytical technology, including a premier analytical laboratory and technical training for radioisotope and stable isotope analytical techniques. Visit site ›

Climate & Society

Fosters a scientific community dedicated to improving our understanding of the complex processes and effects of climate variability and change on natural, managed, human-built, and societal systems, and developing effective and appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies, solutions, information and tools. Visit site ›

Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases

Drawing on a strong foundation of parasitology, immunology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics, the Center translates research results into medical and public health interventions for at-risk populations, and promotes international and biomedical research and educational programs at UGA and throughout Georgia. Visit site ›

Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC)

Organized to optimize cooperation and collaboration among disciplines (biomedical, plant, and microbial glycosciences, synthetic and analytical chemistry) both within the CCRC and with scientists world-wide, and to foster analytical service and training. Visit site ›

Faculty of Infectious Diseases

Addresses infectious disease threats to species and economies world-wide by integrating multidisciplinary research in animal, human, and ecosystem health, and by developing successful countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Visit site ›

Georgia Sea Grant

Combines research, education, and outreach projects to promotes the economic, cultural and environmental health of Georgia’s coast and encourage citizens throughout the state to become good stewards of coastal and watershed resources. Visit site ›

William A. and Barbara R. Owens Institute for Behavioral Research (IBR)

Stimulates, supports, and sustains innovation and infrastructure in the social and behavioral sciences by catalyzing innovative interdisciplinary research, fostering faculty careers, and encouraging and mentoring junior faculty. Visit site ›

Institute of Bioinformatics

Facilitates interactions and research collaborations between experimental biologists, technologists and computational/mathematical scientists to tackle complex biological problems, and trains the next generation of biologists in using computers and mathematical techniques to address biological problems. Visit site ›

Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NanoSEC)

Develops new materials and devices at nanometer scales to address emerging research and developing needs in national security, sensing and diagnostics, biomedical imaging, drug and vaccine development, cancer treatment, environmental and renewable energy applications. Visit site ›

Obesity Initiative

The initiative harnesses UGA’s diverse and extensive obesity-related instruction, research activities, and public service and outreach components to address the multi-faceted problem of obesity in Georgia. Visit site ›

The Plant Center

Enhances the tradition of outstanding research in plant molecular biology and genetics with a focus on the growth, development and behavior of plants and their associated organisms, the organization, evolution and function of plant genomes, and the improvement of plants for agricultural or industrial uses. Visit site ›

Regenerative Bioscience Center

Focuses on using human stem cells for restoring damaged tissues throughout the body and speeding the discovery of new compounds, therapies and drug discovery tools to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Visit site ›

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL)

Located on the Savannah River Site, a Department of Energy facility near Aiken, SC, the laboratory pursues basic and applied research at multiple levels of ecological organization, from atoms to ecosystems. SREL also provides opportunities for graduate and undergraduate research training, and service to the community through environmental outreach. Visit site ›

University of Georgia Cancer Center

Takes a broad-based and interdisciplinary approach to fighting cancer through diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines and prevention and outreach. Visit site ›

Willson Center for Humanities and Arts

Promotes scholarly inquiry and creative activity in the humanities and the arts by supporting faculty research grants, lectures, symposia, publications, visiting scholars, visiting artists, and public conferences, exhibitions, and performances. Visit site ›

The University of Georgia

Office of the Vice President for Research

OVPR Centers, Institutes & Initiatives