About

Welcome to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR).

Aerial view of Penn campus against the Philadelphia skyline

The Vice Provost for Research is an advisor to the Provost and has oversight of the University’s vast research enterprise, encompassing a broad spectrum of research support services, regulatory bodies, multi-disciplinary campus-wide Centers and Institutes, and partnerships to foster innovation and commercialization of research at Penn. OVPR collaborates with Penn constituents and external partners to promote meaningful scholarship, uphold research integrity, foster new discoveries, and facilitate the implementation of strategic goals at Penn related to research and scholarship.

Research at Penn Facts

Research Reporting Offices

200+

Multidisciplinary Centers and Institutes

$1.3B+

Total Research Awards

Research by the numbers

The Frontier of Research and Innovation

With awards totaling more than $1.3 billion, the University of Pennsylvania is home to many of the world’s leading researchers. Penn’s integrated campus encompasses 12 Schools, over 200 multidisciplinary centers and institutes, a fully incorporated health system and a large community of scholars committed to making a difference in the world. Penn investigators are building unique bridges between traditionally disparate fields of research to achieve groundbreaking discoveries across the life sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, business, and many other fields of study.

Penn receives nearly 5000 new research awards on an annual basis. The University is consistently ranked as one of the largest recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health. Penn also receives valuable support from a host of other sponsors, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia, foundations, associations, and industry partners.

As we continue to nurture and expand our research capabilities, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research remains dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, ensuring that Penn not only leads in academic research but also makes a profound, positive impact in the world. In this spirit of discovery and collaboration, we invite scholars, innovators, and partners to join us in advancing knowledge for the betterment of society, the planet, and future generations.