About
As one of four investment institutes, we leverage university funds to invest in targeted research areas with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary programs.
We largely provide researchers with support through use of our facilities and seeding funding for projects. For more information about what we do, read a message from our institute director and Virginia Tech Helmet Lab founder Stefan Duma and explore our website by clicking on the buttons below.
Virginia Tech’s thematic institutes are high level organizations with unique research facilities, faculty, staff and student talent, usually having physical infrastructure that carries out leading-edge interdisciplinary research in a particular area that aligns with the university’s vision and mission. In addition to receiving investments of university funds, thematic institutes also have deep relationships with sponsors and receive substantial extramural research grants and/or contract funding through them.
Virginia Tech’s investment institutes are high level organizations that leverage university funds to invest in targeted research areas with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary programs. Such investments may include support for recruitment, retention and recognition of faculty, seed funds for new research projects, equipment purchases, support and management of core facilities, graduate student recruitment, undergraduate experiential learning opportunities, and research-related outreach activities. Programs and faculty receiving investment institute support are aligned with and in close partnership with associated academic units.