DU Research and Scholarship in 2026, by the Numbers
The year’s highlights included national recognition for faculty across the University and continued growth among research centers and institutes.
The University of Denver’s research and scholarship activities saw great success in 2026. Despite broad shifts in federal funding across higher education, DU’s existing research centers and institutes—the cornerstone of the University’s research enterprise—remained strong, and four new centers and institutes were designated. In addition, research groups across campus, from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics to the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, continued their robust work.
The year brought much to celebrate, as faculty earned national recognition for their achievements: Remy Le Boeuf, director of Jazz and Commercial Music Studies in the Lamont School of Music, won a Grammy Award; Doug Clements, professor in the Morgridge College of Education, received the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Lifetime Achievement Award; and Mark Siemens, professor in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, received congressionally directed funding to support quantum research.
“These accomplishments remind us that impactful scholarship takes many forms and continues to elevate DU’s reputation,” says Corinne Lengsfeld, senior vice provost for research and graduate education. “Our future will be defined by the curiosity, collaboration, and determination that drive our work every day.”
Here’s a look at some of the year’s highlights, by the numbers.
$36.7 million
Total amount of DU research expenditures, with approximately 64% being federally funded
4
Number of newly designated research centers and institutes
$8.7 million
Total amount of expenditures from the highest earning division, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, followed by Morgridge College of Education ($6.8 million) and the Graduate School of Social Work ($5.7 million)
240
Number of principal and co-principal investigators
40,587
Number of faculty citations
461
Number of undergraduates who participated in research
106
Number of students participating in the 2026 Student Signature Work Showcase
297
Number of elite and national media placements in news outlets including the New York Times, Newsweek, NBC News, Bloomberg, NPR, and Washington Post
757
Number of local media placements
100+
Number of media placements from DU’s Public Impact Fellows
2,097
Number of master’s degrees awarded
421
Number of doctoral degrees awarded
For more information about DU research, view the 2026 Impact Report from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
