Research and Extension

Research

Research is an important activity at Iowa State University. Faculty members engage in research pursuits as well as teaching. Graduate students, and in some cases undergraduates, play an active part in this search for new knowledge.

Support for research at Iowa State University comes from state and federal appropriations as well as from contracts and grants involving the federal government and nonfederal organizations. As part of its total program, the university also operates extension services, special laboratories, centers, and institutes.

Official Research, Outreach, and/or Instructional Centers and Institutes at ISU as Recognized by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, are listed at http://www.vpresearch.iastate.edu/docs/centers.pdf. Additional information concerning any of these organizations and student research opportunities they support may be obtained from their administrative offices.

Iowa State University Extension

Iowa State University Extension builds partnerships and provides research-based learning opportunities to improve quality of life in Iowa. ISU Extension continues to lead the university-wide effort to engage Iowans with education and information about their issues and priorities.

Iowa State University is the state’s land-grant institution with the mission of creating, sharing, and applying knowledge. Historically, ISU Extension has led the university in its formal engagement mission to Iowans. With an active partnership and presence in every county, ISU Extension engages the people of Iowa with education and information in the following areas:

Agriculture and Natural Resources. ISU Extension provides research-based information and education to agricultural producers, landowners, agribusiness personnel, community development officials, and policy-makers to enhance the value of Iowa’s agricultural industry, increase rural vitality, protect the state’s natural resources, and stimulate new economic development opportunities.

Business and Industry. Extension’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) provides Iowa’s more than 5,000 manufacturers with educational seminars and individualized technical and business assistance in engineering, management practices, procurement, and quality management to increase productivity and competitiveness.

Community and Economic Development. ISU Extension is assisting Iowans in their search for understanding and answers leading to productive, healthy, and sustainable communities. Extension focuses on community visioning, government/governance, and economic development.

Families. Families across the lifespan connect with ISU Extension. From child care to aging, financial management to public policy, ISU Extension provides research-based information to help families make decisions that improve and transform their lives.

4-H Youth Development. ISU Extension provides research based learning experiences that contribute to youth leadership, citizenship, communication, personal life management, and knowledge in partnership with caring adults.

Continuing and Distance Education. In cooperation with all ISU colleges and Extension field staff, Continuing and Distance Education (CDE) delivers off-campus credit courses, degree programs, service-learning programs, noncredit conferences and seminars, and ISU Extension educational materials to learners around the world.