Research at Johns Hopkins

America’s first research university

The Johns Hopkins University is proud to be America’s first research university. Founded in 1876, we were the first university in the Western Hemisphere based on the European research institution model and our establishment revolutionized U.S. higher education. Johns Hopkins was established on the principle that by pursuing big ideas and sharing what we learn, we make the world a better place. For more than 140 years, we haven’t strayed from that vision.

Johns Hopkins faculty and students have worked side by side in pursuit of discoveries that improve lives. What kinds of discoveries? We made water purification possible, launched the field of genetic engineering, completed a flyby of Pluto with the New Horizons space probe, and authenticated the Dead Sea Scrolls. We invented saccharine, CPR, and the supersonic ramjet engine. Our efforts have resulted in child safety restraint laws; the creation of Dramamine, Mercurochrome, and rubber surgical gloves; and the development of a revolutionary surgical procedure to correct heart defects in infants.

Researchers at our nine academic divisions and at the university’s Applied Physics Laboratory have made us the nation’s leader in federal research and development funding each year since 1979. Those same researchers mentor our inquisitive students—about two-thirds of our undergrads engage in some form of research during their time here.

Research isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. Every day, our faculty, clinicians, researchers, students, and staff collaborate to advance humanity. We are conducting research, patient care, training, service, and education at more than 1,300 sites in more than in 154 countries. Through these programs on every continent, we are continuing our founding mission to bring knowledge to the world through a proud tradition of leadership around the globe.

Always our greatest asset, our faculty have continued to be recognized for their groundbreaking research with such awards as the Nobel Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, National Medal of Science, Pulitzer Prize, Japan Prize, Berlin Prize, and Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal, in addition to membership to such prestigious organizations as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Building on these successes, President Ronald Daniels’ Ten for One is forging a roadmap for our future, with a particular emphasis on growing the research environment.  The collaborative effort of this initiative reinforces that Johns Hopkins University will continue to be a place of remarkable collaboration across world class disciplines. We continue to seek out new and innovative ideas from all across the globe and as we look ahead, it’s clear that Johns Hopkins University research programs and academics will continue to produce pioneering investigations and world-class results.

We welcome you to read about our current programs and initiatives, meet the Research team, and join us in pushing the bounds of human knowledge and creativity to make the world a better place.