Research Impact | University of California, Riverside

As one of the nation’s leading research universities, UC Riverside drives discoveries that save lives and shape the world. Backed by critical funding from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and NASA, UCR researchers are studying Earth’s systems to understand phenomena like climate, natural hazards, and resource management, and exploring space to address fundamental questions about the fabric of the universe and life beyond our solar system.

Below are some of the ways UC Riverside researchers are putting federal dollars to work.

New Research will Answer Fundamental Questions About our Universe

UCR experimental physicist Jonathan Richardson explains what gravitational waves are and how the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) experiment offers a new way to observe the universe and cosmic events like merging black holes and colliding neutron stars.

Impacts of UCR Space and Earth Sciences Research

This image is a composite of data from NASA’s Magellan spacecraft and Pioneer Venus Orbiter

Life lessons from Venus

Despite surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead, lava-spewing volcanoes, and puffy clouds of sulfuric acid, Venus offers vital lessons about potential life on other planets. Through two planned NASA missions to Venus, UCR astrophysicist Stephen Kane will learn more about the planet’s landscape and atmosphere in the quest to find habitable planets in far-flung solar systems.

The next ice age?

With support from the National Science Foundation, UCR geologist Andy Ridgwell has discovered a previously overlooked feedback loop in the way our warming planet recycles its carbon. The resulting burial of massive amounts of carbon in the ocean creates a cooling effect that he believes may eventually cause global warming to overcorrect into an ice age.

Aerial shot of the rust-colored Salmon River

A toxic shift in the Arctic

In Alaska’s Brooks Range, once-clear rivers now run orange and hazy with toxic metals. With National Science Foundation support, UCR biogeochemist Tim Lyons and colleagues show how the warming of formerly frozen ground sets off a chemical chain reaction that is poisoning fish and wreaking havoc on ecosystems.

A new way to study dark matter

More than 5,000 planets have been discovered beyond our solar system, allowing scientists to explore planetary evolution and consider the possibility of extraterrestrial life. With support from the DOE and NASA, UC Riverside physicist Hai-Bo Yu and team show how these exoplanets could also serve as tools to investigate dark matter.

News & Commentary

A scientist in a white lab coat looks at a rack of clear plastic tubs filled with water on a shelf in a laboratory.

Join UC in speaking up for science

As the University of California faces funding threats at the federal level, the University’s scientific community is coming together to amplify the life-saving research happening at UC through the Speak Up for Science campaign.

UCR student walking in front of the Bell tower

Slashing NIH funding means slashing innovative research

In an opinion article, UC Riverside Chancellor-Emeritus Kim Wilcox speaks to the model of federal research funding that has for 70 years made the United States the worldwide standard for innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the federal government fund research?
- Through “direct costs,” which covers the scientists, lab supplies, equipment, and travel needed to conduct a government-funded project.
- Via “facilities and administrative (F&A) costs,” which are essential costs that are not tied to a single project. That can include lab space and support personnel, such as those who manage the paperwork to maintain facilities, to keep the lights on, and to pay for personnel to support the project and ensure compliance to many federal requirements.
What research costs have been targeted by the federal government?

Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs have been targeted. These are the essential costs required to conduct research.
With the NIH funding that has been targeted by the federal government, how much does UCR stand to lose?

UCR could lose up to $12 million this year from its loss of NIH funding. That figure could climb to more than $20 million if other federal agencies such as NSF begin cuts.
What percentage of UCR’s research costs is F&A?

F&A stands for Facilities and Administrative costs. The percentage for F&A is 57% of which the A part is capped at 26%. Above 26%, the university pays for any additional administrative costs, even though much of those costs are tied to federal rules and regulations to which the university is required to comply.