About Research
About the Division of Research and Economic Development
The Division of Research and Economic Development (DRED) is committed to cultivating an environment where education thrives through research, scholarly endeavors, and creative activity. Why? Because learning to benefit communities in need benefits us all.
DRED provides support to faculty and students during all phases of research. We manage the university’s intellectual property portfolio, facilitate relationships with industry for research and commercialization collaboration, and lead outreach to foster economic development in Boise and the region. We do all of this through several core research units. To support faculty, staff, and external partners in navigating DRED we created the Research and Creative Activity Ecosystem. DRED also provides funding support to university faculty for exciting research initiatives. To request support from the division, we invite you to fill out the request for support.
Letter from Nancy Glenn
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the Division of Research and Economic Development! Boise State University is bustling with energy and opportunity. Our research community of students, staff, faculty, and our partners, are phenomenal and growing. We pride ourselves on our people and commitment to working together. Our Blueprint for Success speaks to our thriving community and trailblazing, innovative character, which makes research at Boise State University so exciting.
We are especially proud of our focus on interdisciplinary research and creative activity, with teams working across disciplines to solve Grand Challenges. As Idaho’s largest public university, we catalyze economic development and growth and development in Idaho and beyond. Our researchers excel at community engagement and partnerships, and through these relationships we provide exciting opportunities for our students to enrich their education. We are dedicated to advancing research and creative activity that empowers student success and creates world-changing solutions. Our mission and success is nationally ranked in the Top 50 in Innovation by the U.S. News and World Report.
Our research is impactful, whether it is improving the health and wellbeing of Idahoans, developing innovative solutions and technologies, or tackling complex environmental and societal issues. With seven academic colleges, the Honors College, and the Graduate College, we have a wide breadth of expertise. Our faculty, staff and students contribute to their fields of study and show themselves to be Blue Turf Thinkers with their groundbreaking research. For example, in 2021 alone, Boise State received 425 awards, totaling more than $65 million, an increase of 13% from last year’s award dollars and 58% in the past five years. Additionally, the university’s research expenditures reached new heights at $55.7 million, rising 16% from 2020 and 59% from five years ago.
We invite you to explore our Research Magazine and share in the stories of trailblazing student and faculty research and creative activities that advance education, empower Idaho and make us proud to be Broncos.
We hope that our website will provide you with the information you need regarding research at Boise State. If there is additional information we can provide, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. We would love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Nancy Glenn
Vice President for Research and Economic Development
nancyglenn@boisestate.edu, (208) 426-5732
Units within Research and Economic Development
The Division of Research and Economic Development (DRED) is made up of several research units that provide different support for research projects. Not sure what the next step is? Review the Research and Creative Activity Ecosystem or click the How to Engage button below.