Advancing Research and Innovation

Indiana University School of Medicine is addressing the most pressing health challenges in Indiana and beyond. Research discoveries by IU School of Medicine faculty and trainees yield the building blocks for tomorrow’s most needed medical breakthroughs.

two researchers prepare samples together in the lab
$233M
in NIH research funding
15th
in NIH funding among U.S. public medical schools
$627 M
in estimated annual economic activity generated in Indiana from NIH funding
2,287
estimated Indiana jobs created as a result of NIH funding
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a researcher in a white coat prepares a sample in the lab

Basic and Clinical Science Departments

IU School of Medicine researchers work to discover the most promising breakthroughs and move new knowledge into tangible health benefits for patients.

Liana Apostolova with a patient from her research study

Clinical Studies

Clinical studies test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs and treatments. Nearly all medical treatments used today began with clinical studies.

chandy john speaks with students in his lab

Research Centers

Centers support innovative and collaborative research to solve some of the most difficult diseases facing society today.

kathy miller and Harikrishna Nakshatri walk and discuss their work

Institutes

Spanning IU School of Medicine and IU Health, institutes enable a team-based approach to provide superior care to Hoosiers today and discover new and improved care for the future.

a black graduate student works in a lab at the Gary campus

Strong National Research Funding

IU School of Medicine researchers were awarded more than $230 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2025. According to rankings released by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, the IU School of Medicine ranks No. 15 for NIH funding among all public medical schools in the United States.

As the research program at IU School of Medicine grows, so do the benefits to our state. According to data from a 2025 report by United for Medical Research, every $1 million in NIH funding awarded to Indiana researchers created nearly 10 jobs, the income and other associated expenses from which generated $2.69 million in economic activity. Based on that data, IU School of Medicine’s 2025 NIH funding is responsible for creating about 2,287 jobs and an estimated $627 million in economic activity in Indiana — more than half of the estimated total $1.09 billion in economic activity generated in Indiana from all NIH funding in the state.

News

A man in a lab coat looks at a computer screen

Scientists map ‘energy network patterns’ in brain to track Alzheimer’s disease across disease spectrum

Researchers use graph theory to discover how networks in the brain reorganize as Alzheimer’s disease progresses in humans.

April 28, 2026

A woman reads to two people from a laptop screen.

Study sheds new light on impact of Alzheimer’s screening for caregivers and family members

A new study, the first of its kind, measured the long-term effects of Alzheimer's disease screening on caregivers.  

April 27, 2026

headshot of Brittany Needham against a white background with a green plant in the corner

Basic science research spotlight: Brittany Needham, PhD

Brittany Needham, PhD, assistant professor of anatomy, cell biology and physiology, has continued her research investigating the bacteria that live in the human intestine: what they eat, what they make and how they influence human health, particularly the brain.

April 21, 2026

Adam Comer headshot up against a bookshelf

Clinical research spotlight: Adam Comer, MD

When it comes to helping people with complex neuromuscular diseases, Adam Comer, MD, is all-in. His roles as a physician, principal investigator and graduate medical education leader have implications for patients today and in the future.

April 21, 2026

Portrait of Shannon Risacher in front of a monitor with scans on itFaculty Research Labs

Faculty throughout IU School of Medicine work together to advance knowledge and treatment for patients in the world's most critical areas of medicine.

A postdoctoral fellow wearing a lab coat sits in front of a microscopeGraduate and Postdoctoral Programs

IU School of Medicine graduate programs uplift future scientists and the research on which medicine rests.

Focused Expertise

An emphasis on team science and prioritization by leadership have allowed IU School of Medicine faculty to grow their expertise in strategic areas of research to maximize the school’s impact on both medical science and public health.