Research at UAF
America's Arctic research university
UAF is the principal research university for the statewide University of Alaska system.
Our research engages undergraduate and graduate students so they gain skills and knowledge
to become tomorrow's leaders.
By the numbers
News
Jun 04
UTQIAÄ VIK, ALASKA -- Colorful sticky notes and creased agendas fluttered to the floor as 40 or so people grabbed phones and rushed to the long series of windows. A polar bear had been spotted checking out a series of empty sled dog cages nearby.
Jun 04
An international team of scientists has, for the first time, quantified the total carbon stored in permafrost at the mouth of rivers flowing into the Arctic Ocean.
Jun 04
The ability to land a military cargo plane on a frozen Arctic lake is becoming less likely as a warming environment reduces the number of subfreezing days. That puts ice thickness below the minimum needed to support heavy aircraft.
Events
Thursday, May 14, 2026
UAF West Ridge
Join UAF Research for an inspiring day on West Ridge at Troth Yeddha' for the Arctic
Research Open House on Thursday, May 14, from 4–7 p.m. This annual event is hosted
by the UAF Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
From Fairbanks roots, UAF research branches across science, engineering, and creativity,
sprouting new solutions for Alaska and the Arctic. You’ll meet the researchers behind
the work and see how UAF research shows up in your community. Each stop gives you
something real to engage with, from lab experiments to field campaigns, all rooted
in solving problems faced by you and fellow Alaskans. To celebrate the Fairbanks community
and the work happening across campus, the UAF Vice Chancellor for Research will host
a free ice cream social.
Access to events and parking will be FREE across West Ridge. All ages are encouraged
for this free event, minors must be accompanied by an adult. For more information,
or to make an accommodation request at least five days in advance of this event, , email UAF-Research@alaska.edu or call 907-474-6000.
Research calendar
Research enterprise
UAF does high-quality research in a large number of fields. We're one of only a handful of institutions in the country that can claim the triple crown status of Land, Sea and Space Grant Institution.
Achieving R1 at UAF
With more than $200 million in research activity each year, the University of Alaska Fairbanks is Alaska's research university. We are ready to step up to R1 and join the top 4% of research universities in the United States.