TRIF: Research, Innovation, Impact
Investing in Arizona and solving our biggest challenges
Through TRIF, or the Technology and Research Initiative Fund, the University of Arizona creates impactful solutions to state and global problems, prepares students for the workforce of tomorrow and contributes as one of the largest economic engines for Arizona.
Established with public support via voter approval, TRIF is an essential resource for growing Arizona’s economy and providing opportunities for Arizona residents to work, learn and thrive.
2021-2024
A Bold, Achievable Vision
Continued TRIF investment will enable us to position Arizona as The Resilient State, capable of dealing with any challenge. Through TRIF, UArizona will:
Help create an agile and dynamic state economy
Support a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem
Produce a workforce that stays in Arizona and adapts to any challenge
Expand the technical prowess, innovation and discovery synonymous with UArizona
Help create an agile and dynamic state economy
Support a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem
Produce a workforce that stays in Arizona and adapts to any challenge
Expand the technical prowess, innovation and discovery synonymous with UArizona
In the News
TRIF Funding Drives Discoveries and Solutions
Leading the Way
TRIF ensures the health, security and economic development of Arizona and the nation through groundbreaking research and education.
#1 in space exploration and optical sciences
UArizona has led the nation's universities in space sciences each year for the past two decades.
#1 in water resources
UArizona develops innovative solutions for environmental and energy sustainability in Arizona.
Strength in Numbers: 2017—2021
Training the next generation of innovation leaders
Postdoctoral
researchers:
1,195
Graduate
students:
4,054
Undergraduate
students:
3,780
Five Years of TRIF at UArizona
Invention
Disclosures:
633
US Patents
Issued:
134
Startup
Companies:
39
2021 - 2024 Goals
Building on past impacts to solve the state's biggest challenges through shared infrastructure, advanced research and complex partnerships.
• Wearable technologies and therapeutics
• Pandemic prediction, prevention and preparedness
• Non-invasive imaging
• Therapies for age-related and neurodegenerative diseases
• Wearable technologies and therapeutics
• Pandemic prediction, prevention and preparedness
• Non-invasive imaging
• Therapies for age-related and neurodegenerative diseases
• Future observing campaigns of the Event Horizon Telescope
• QISE systems engineering
• Underlying optical technologies
• Future observing campaigns of the Event Horizon Telescope
• QISE systems engineering
• Underlying optical technologies
• Vertical farming
• Environment-health continuum
• Energy-efficient water reuse and wastewater epidemiology
• Climate and energy forecasting
• Vertical farming
• Environment-health continuum
• Energy-efficient water reuse and wastewater epidemiology
• Climate and energy forecasting
• Experiential, hands-on learning
• Partnership with Arizona FORGE
• Recruitment from K-12 and Arizona community coleges
• Development of a mentoring program
• Experiential, hands-on learning
• Partnership with Arizona FORGE
• Recruitment from K-12 and Arizona community coleges
• Development of a mentoring program
• Countermeasures and solutions
• Advances in human-computer interaction
• Advanced communications
• Development of energy systems
• Countermeasures and solutions
• Advances in human-computer interaction
• Advanced communications
• Development of energy systems
Economic Impact
Fueling a powerful engine of growth
At the University of Arizona, TRIF enhances the economic development of the state by:
• Catalyzing research that ties to Arizona businesses
• Translating research results into new products and services that benefit the state
• Providing infrastructure through research and business development services and facilities
State & Global Impact
Transformative solutions to critical challenges
TRIF investments allow UArizona to deal effectively with threats and operate collectively through challenges.
• Tackling COVID-19 antibody testing head-on at the BIO5 Institute
• Discovering science-based solutions to Arizona’s water challenges
• Building complex partnerships to improve opioid crisis outcomes
Advancing Knowledge
Preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow
UArizona trains students to realize their highest potential and take on roles as innovation leaders in science and technology.
• Pairing high-school students with UArizona faculty to learn advanced research techniques
• Offering undergraduate Native American students programs in optics and environmental sciences
• Training teachers to address shortages in nursing, math, science and agriculture
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