Support Research at Kent State University

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Headshot of Douglas Delahanty

Thanks so much for your interest in supporting Kent State’s research success. From better understanding of psychological trauma to developing effective drug treatments for cancer, there is extensive and remarkable research going on at Kent State.  And each lab and studio provides an opportunity for students to, not just learn about areas of great societal relevance, but to engage in creating knowledge – a high impact practice associated with better academic performance, increased graduation rates and the development of critical thinking skills. As interim vice president for research, I am privileged to witness and provide support to those responsible for our research successes and am very aware that we could never do it alone.

I am eternally grateful for the many generous donors who support our efforts. Your contributions allow us to grow participation in life-changing student programs, conduct groundbreaking research, and attract and retain talented students and renowned faculty.

Thank you for your support and for your contributions to Kent State’s research success.

Sincerely,

Douglas L. Delahanty, PhD

Vice President for Research and Economic Development

Make a Gift to Support Research

 

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Student working in the lab

Your gift can provide a life-changing experience for student researchers, help move early inventions and innovations along so they can be used for the public good, or aid our eminent researchers in collecting data that not only help answer the most pressing societal questions but also make our faculty more competitive for large-scale grants. Kent State is focusing on these key research priorities:

  • Undergraduate Student Research – Students who have access to high-impact research experiences during their undergraduate studies are more likely to graduate. In fact, more than 50 percent of students who participate in undergraduate research go on to graduate or professional school, thus improving their long-range earnings potential in a variety of rewarding careers.
    • Summer Undergraduate Research Experience - The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program is a great opportunity for undergraduate researchers to work one-on-one with faculty mentors during the summer months.
    • Sophomore Research Experience – The Sophomore Research Experience enables students from lower income backgrounds to receive work study funds (matched by the Office of Student Research) so that they can earn money while working in a lab/studio.
    • Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarships and Creative Endeavors – Since 2014, hundreds of undergraduate student researchers have presented their work annually – 443 in 2019 – and competed for symposium prizes. Private support allows Kent State to host this annual symposium, an event that has proven beneficial to further setting numerous participants on their chosen career paths.
  • Launch New Faculty Discoveries – Whether the great ideas and innovative solutions of tomorrow are born in a lab on one of our campuses, or are developed through one of our many partnerships with business, industry, community or other academic institutions, Kent State is making substantive contributions and major breakthroughs across myriad avenues of innovation and scholarly pursuit. Your gift to support preliminary research studies will not only speed these discoveries, but faculty use preliminary data to compete for large-scale grants, so your dollars will lead to higher federal funding.

    At KSU we have experts conducting research on virtually every topic from better understanding and treating mental health and physical diseases to how better to educate the leaders of tomorrow. If you have a specific area of interest you’d like to support, we are happy to connect your philanthropy with our researchers. Please contact Dave Grober (dgrober@kent.edu or 330-672-5297) to discuss specific research areas of interest.
  • Faculty Innovations - KSU researchers are at the forefront of developing life-changing innovations. The greatest barrier to helping these innovations move to market where they can impact public good is the lack of funds needed to generate prototypes and perform proof-of-concept studies that validate the new technology. Your gift will enable our inventors to more quickly convert ideas to commercial products.


Make a Gift to Support Research

 

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Photo of student in a lab

Strategic investment in the research areas of strength represented by Kent State’s  Institutes and Initiatives directly expands the culture of research at KSU and leads to transformative, collaborative discoveries.

  • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI) – The AMLCI engages a large interdisciplinary team of liquid crystal researchers, and experts in nanoscience and technology, biomaterials, organic semiconductors, and organic electro-optics and reaches well beyond the traditional STEM disciplines. 
  • Anti-Racism and Equity Institute (AREI) – The AREI was established with the goals of advancing and promoting scholarship, education, and engagement that address problems associated with racial inequality and injustice.
  • Brain Health Research Institute (BHRI)  – The BHRI is committed to improving our understanding of brain function in health, disease and repair. 
  • Design Innovation Initiative (DI) - DI brings together students, faculty, community and leading experts from diverse disciplines who are thoughtfully addressing technology and society through design to become creative, intersectional problem-solvers and fearless collaborators in the face of complex, messy problems.
  • Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) – The ESDRI is dedicated to research and investigations within natural and built systems.  
  • Global Understanding and Research Initiative (GURI) –  The GURI stimulates interdisciplinary collaborations that transcend disciplinary and geographic boundaries, seeking solutions to problems of global concern.  
  • Healthy Communities Research Institute (HCRI) – The HCRI is focused on basic and applied research leading to the discovery of processes and practices that enable all people to thrive free of preventable disease and injury, while achieving well-being and health-related quality of life.


Make a Gift to Support Research

Select any of the links below to learn more about the most common options for giving to Kent State University:

Cash, Checks, Credit Card, PayPal

The easiest way to donate; contributions can be sent via check to the Kent State Foundation office, or you can make a credit card donation online.

Securities

The Kent State Foundation accepts appreciated securities, which may offer a larger tax benefit than a cash gift.

Real Estate

Gifts of long-term, appreciated real estate usually offer an immediate tax benefit.

Gift Planning

Bequests present a way to leave a legacy after your lifetime. You may also establish a trust or annuity that can provide income to you or a loved one while benefiting the university. Our advisers can help you determine the best options.

Payroll Deduction

Employees of Kent State University can make their contributions through automatic deductions from their paychecks.

Employer Matching Program

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please enter your employer's name below.

Complete the form below to update your contact information on file at Kent State University. If you are a current Kent State University student or employee, please contact the appropriate office to formally change your name or information for university records.

 

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