The ORIEI Annual Report highlights the George Mason University difference as a high‑output research institution: a rapidly growing portfolio of competitive federal awards, a research community that excels in transdisciplinary collaboration, and a deep commitment to translating discovery into public benefit.
George Mason advances major national priorities in biohealth, responsible digital innovation, and sustainability while expanding partnerships across government, industry, and community organizations. Our researchers deliver solutions shaped by real‑world needs, supported by strong commercialization pathways and anchored in the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative. Together, these achievements reflect our momentum as one of the nation’s most diverse, innovative, and impact‑driven public research universities.
943 sponsored awards received in FY26
George Mason researchers continue to attract competitive support from federal agencies, industry partners, foundations, and other sponsors to advance discovery and innovation. Through grant development, proposal support, research administration, and strategic research initiatives, ORIEI helps create an environment where faculty and research teams can compete successfully for external funding. These investments fuel groundbreaking scholarship, expand research capacity, support students and staff, and generate solutions that address society's most pressing challenges.
1,500 proposals submitted for external funding
Every research award begins with a bold idea. During FY26, Mason researchers pursued more than $800 million in external funding opportunities, demonstrating the scope of the university's research ambition. ORIEI supports this activity through proposal development services, strategic partnerships, funding opportunity identification, and administrative expertise. This robust proposal pipeline reflects a research community actively pursuing new discoveries, building collaborations, and positioning George Mason for future growth and impact.
$98.3M in proposals supported by Research Development Services
Faculty are the driving force behind George Mason's research enterprise. ORIEI provides resources, expertise, and guidance that help researchers navigate complex funding landscapes, develop competitive proposals, and build innovative collaborations. Through individualized support, workshops, training programs, and research development services, the office helps expand opportunities for faculty across disciplines. By investing in researcher success, ORIEI strengthens George Mason's ability to produce transformative scholarship, attract external funding, and grow interdisciplinary research programs.
6 startups launched from George Mason innovations
Research discoveries become real-world solutions through innovation and commercialization. George Mason researchers generated 83 new invention disclosures in FY26, reflecting a strong culture of creativity, entrepreneurship, and translational research. ORIEI supports inventors through intellectual property protection, technology transfer, licensing, and startup development pathways. These discoveries have the potential to improve lives, strengthen industries, and contribute to economic growth while expanding the impact of research conducted at George Mason University.