The Institute for Research on Innovation & Science (IRIS), established in 2015 at the University of Michigan, was created in response to calls for improved understanding and measurement of science's economic and social impacts. IRIS focuses on three primary pathways by which scientific research influences the economy: the career trajectories of individuals trained through research, the procurement of goods and services supporting scientific activity, and the role of entrepreneurship, particularly through university-affiliated start-ups. The institute's data reveal that research-funded positions significantly contribute to workforce development, with nearly half of research employees being students or trainees, and a majority of graduates transitioning to the private sector—often remaining in their training states and earning competitive salaries. Moreover, IRIS highlights substantial local and national economic stimulation through research-related purchasing, with billions spent annually across many industries and geographic areas.
IRIS functions as a collaborative data infrastructure, offering member institutions detailed reports, benchmarking, data access, and opportunities for governance and academia-policy engagement. Supported by key foundations and involving numerous universities, IRIS aggregates extensive administrative and research funding data, facilitating granular analysis of research impacts through workforce outcomes, expenditure mapping, and entrepreneurial success. Its framework supports broader goals of advancing evidence-based policy, innovation, public health, and economic growth. The organization continually expands its membership and data services, striving to shape the national dialogue on the value and outcomes of academic research, and invites further institutional and researcher participation to enhance its mission.
