Global Research Institute

From Ideas to Impact

The Global Research Institute is William & Mary's applied research incubator and accelerator—in other words, we operate like a venture fund for global impact to identify and scale breakthrough ideas that can change lives.

Read About Our Work

Big Ideas Live Here

GRI supports student-faculty research teams at every stage of the research lifecycle, from concept, to pilot data, to big bets on research enterprises ready to scale. GRI also provides training for the wider W&M community on grant-writing, partnership development, research communications, and more to build the idea-to-impact pipeline for researchers across the university and help W&M pursue and achieve preeminence.

See Our Current Portfolio

The Institute exemplifies the best of William & Mary. Creativity, entrepreneurship, and intellectual risk-taking are rewarded. By investing in the power of student-faculty teams, the Institute is helping position W&M as a leader for world-class, applied research.

Robert M. Gates '65, L.H.D. '98 Chancellor

For problems that need data that has yet to be discovered or methods that have yet to be invented, there is no better place for the world to come to than the Global Research Institute.

Katherine Rowe President

Doing research through GRI has shown me what I’m capable of—from working in a hospital in Kenya to helping design surveys for D.C. think tank professionals.

Simone Annan '28

William & Mary is primed to produce research that addresses the world’s most pressing issues—from nuclear proliferation to food security to artificial intelligence. GRI’s commitment to supporting faculty in building sustainable applied research initiatives reflects the promise of our R1 designation.

Peggy Agouris Provost

Get Involved

Research With Us

Information for prospective researchers.
Become an Impact Fellow

Join a cohort of external experts that helps move research from idea to impact.
Support Our Work

Help sustain applied research at W&M.

News & Highlights

GRI Students Collect Prestigious Scholarships, Fellowships, and Awards

GRI celebrates five students who received high-profile scholarships, fellowships, and awards in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Robert M. Gates Initiative in American Statecraft Launches at William & Mary

Inspired by the legacy of Chancellor Robert M. Gates ’65, L.H.D. ’98, the Robert M. Gates Global Policy Center and William & Mary are launching a signature center for foreign policy teaching and research.
GRI Announces Significant Investments in Applied Research at William & Mary

Awards will support research at the intersection of applied AI and education, as well as more than two dozen faculty doing a variety of applied research across campus.
GRI Hosts Panel Discussion on Iran War

Following the beginning of military action against Iran on February 28, 2026, GRI convened leading scholars on Iran, the Middle East, and nuclear issues to discuss the ongoing war.

See all news

Upcoming Events

Loading...

Learn more
Loading...

Learn more
Loading...

Learn more
Loading...

Learn more

See more events

Want to stay in touch with what's going on at GRI? Subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter!

Contact Us