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Research and Innovation

Students engaged in tidal pool studies at Hopkins Marine Station.
Students engaged in tidal pool studies at Hopkins Marine Station.

Stanford research is remarkable in both its breadth and depth, with research programs that reflect the expertise, creativity and initiative of the faculty who set the research agenda. Faculty have a long tradition of engaging with their colleagues and students within Stanford’s schools and working across disciplines.

Sponsored Research

There are more than 7,500 externally funded sponsored projects throughout the university, with the total sponsored support revenue of $1.98 billion during the fiscal year ending August 31, 2023, including the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC). The federal government sponsors over three-quarters of these projects, including SLAC.

Independent Laboratories, Centers and Institutes

There are 15 independent laboratories, centers and institutes that provide physical and intellectual intersections between schools and disciplines. These institutes are in line with Stanford’s long-standing tradition of crossing boundaries to tackle large problems, engaging faculty and their students in collaborations that range from international and economic studies to studies on the environment, energy and health. Visit the interdisciplinary programs website for more information.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Laboratories and Institutes

  • Stanford Bio-X
  • Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
  • Sarafan Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H)
  • Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences (SIMES)
  • The Stanford PULSE Institute
  • Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC)
  • Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials (GLAM)
  • E. L. Ginzton Laboratory
  • W. W. Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory (HEPL)

Policy Institutes

  • Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI)
  • Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR)
  • Stanford Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI)

Humanities and Social Science Centers

  • Stanford Center on Longevity (SCL)
  • Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) 

Other Special Research Centers

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory operated by Stanford. It shares five joint research centers and 18 joint faculty members with the university. SLAC is home to world-leading facilities for exploring nature’s smallest and fastest processes with X-rays and electrons. Research at SLAC spans chemistry, materials and energy sciences, bioscience, fusion energy science, high-energy physics, cosmology, advanced accelerator and technology development, and advanced computer science.

Hoover Institution

Established by Herbert Hoover—a member of Stanford’s Pioneer Class of 1895 and the 31st U.S. president—the Hoover Institution marked its centennial in 2019. Former Stanford Provost and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assumed the role of director on September 1, 2020. From its initial charge to collect materials documenting the experience of war and the pursuit of peace, the institution stands today as the world’s preeminent archive and policy research center dedicated to freedom, private enterprise and effective, limited government.

Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve

Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, located in the Santa Cruz foothills about 15 minutes from the main Stanford campus, encompasses 1,193 acres and provides a natural laboratory for ecosystem research and teaching. Docent-led tours are offered to groups aligned with the preserve’s mission to contribute to the understanding of the Earth’s natural systems through research, education, and protection of the preserve’s resources.
Call: 650-851-6813

Hopkins Marine Station

Hopkins Marine Station opened in 1892 as the first marine research facility on the Pacific Coast and the second in the United States. Located on Monterey Bay, Hopkins is home to marine research and study by 10 faculty, one lecturer, two emeritus faculty, and one emeritus lecturer.