Power Research

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Help Impact the Future

As an altogether different kind of R1 university, George Mason takes on the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. From health care to digital innovation, climate resilience to education, peace keeping to space exploration, George Mason faculty and students drive discoveries with real-world impact.

Our research is developing transformative solutions and preparing the next generation of leaders to develop bold solutions to complex problems.

Your support can help secure the future we want and deserve.

George Mason is in the business of discovery. This means unleashing our bold ideas from their theoretical and laboratory boundaries, thoughtfully cultivating them as they take shape, and fearlessly deploying them as innovations that will transform our lives.

Andre Marshall Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact; President, George Mason Research Foundation

Research by the Numbers

$252M

FY23 research funding

10^th

Among U.S. public universities in research growth over the past decade
National Science Foundation

8

2024-25 Fulbright Scholars; named Top Producing Institution by U.S. State Dept.

Bold Solutions for a Changing World

The Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) brings George Mason faculty, students, staff, and partners together to develop strategies to create a sustainable, secure, and resilient future.

The GCI focuses on:

Advancing 21st-century education for all
Building a climate-resilient society
Driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure
Improving human health, well-being, and preparedness
Pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration
Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy

The Grand Challenge Initiative is rising to meet the needs of our community and the challenge of our times—a commitment that defines George Mason and makes the university all together different.

Smiling man posing with large space machinery

Understanding Space

George Mason’s $19.5 million Landolt NASA Space Mission will put an artificial “star” into Earth’s orbit by 2029. This will allow scientists to calibrate telescopes and more accurately measure the brightness of stars—including the explosions of supernovae in far-off galaxies.

Student wearing a lab coat and working on DNA

Advancing Health

George Mason researchers are revolutionizing Lyme disease detection and diagnosis with urine testing. In clinical research testing, the newly developed tests had a 90 percent true positive rate with close to 100 percent accuracy.

Casting Light

George Mason researchers are working on a bruise detection system that can be used across all skin tones and leverages AI, imaging and light technologies, forensic reports, and clinical expertise to increase data collection and access to care for trauma victims.

Man in suit and working under large metal robot

Propelling Robotics

The Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center (MARC) is a research hub that connects cutting-edge innovations in robotics, AI, and autonomous systems with real-world applications in defense, mobility, and human-machine interaction.

Three people wearing lab coats and hair nets in a laboratory

Help Power Research

Your support makes high-impact research possible—discoveries that save lives, strengthen communities, and transform our world.

Power Research

Help Impact the Future