Data to understand, explain, & improve the public value of research
IRIS is a consortium of universities creating trusted independent data about the impact of research investments.
IRIS members are the foundation of our effort to turn detailed, administrative data into a strategic resource for universities to measure, communicate, and expand their research impact.
IRIS collects administrative data from its members to produce reports and data products that illuminate the economic and social impacts of universities’ research activities.
IRIS produces the de-identified UMETRICS research dataset, which contains data on 580,000 funded awards worth $192 billion, payments to more than 1.2 million vendors, and wages to approximately 985,000 employees.
Happening at IRIS
Expanding the Industries of Ideas: Understanding the link between research investments, jobs, and skills
The Industries of Ideas (IofI) expansion brings together state and local agencies, universities, education agencies, and economic developers to create tools that provide timely, local, actionable data to inform key business and policy decisions and prepare for technology-driven workforce changes.
IRIS Testifies in Congressional Hearing on Scientific Publishing
On Wednesday, April 15, IRIS executive director Jason Owen-Smith testified before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The discussion reviewed the state of scientific publishing and its challenges, and the implications for the integrity, transparency, and reliability of science. In his testimony, Dr. Owen-Smith underscored the importance of treating detailed data about publicly funded research and researchers as a strategic national asset without relinquishing responsible public access and accountability.
From left to right: Dr. Jason Owen-Smith (IRIS), Ms. Kate Travis (Retraction Watch), Chairman Rich McCormick (Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee), Mr. Carl Maxwell (Association of American Publishers).
Data Contributors
News at IRIS
IRIS Executive Director Testifies in Congressional Hearing on Scientific Publishing
On April 15, IRIS executive director Jason-Owen provided testimony before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Dr....
University of Kansas highlights research impact with IRIS reports
A new article from the University of Kansas draws on IRIS reports to showcase how research activity is powering impact well beyond the...
2025 Year In Review
IRIS’s 2025 Year in Review is available now. Download the report to learn how IRIS uses big administrative data to help universities,...
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