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Knowledge Enterprise

Advancing research, innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships at ASU

We are changing the way the world solves problems.


Driving discovery, innovation and solutions

Knowledge Enterprise is the engine that drives discovery and innovation at Arizona State University, one of the fastest growing research institutions in the U.S. We empower researchers, forge partnerships, invest in our communities and pioneer interdisciplinary thinking. Our goal is not simply to find solutions, but to fundamentally reshape how the world solves problems.

ResearchDiscoveryInnovationImpact
ResearchDiscoveryInnovationImpact

Our impact

Arizona State University is a global leader in interdisciplinary research, discovery and development. Our rapid growth and top rankings demonstrate our success at delivering new knowledge and solutions that support thriving people, a thriving planet and thriving societies.

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2024 year in review

ASU researchers are harnessing DNA for data storage, helping rural residents manage dwindling groundwater supplies, accelerating local startups in the growing space industry, and establishing Arizona as a national hub for microelectronics research.

View 2024 highlights

$904 million


ASU has expanded its research enterprise more than sixfold in the past 20 years, reaching $904 million in research expenditures in FY 2023.

250+ companies


More than 250 companies have launched based on ASU innovations, attracting $1.4 billion in external funding.

#1 in innovation


For the tenth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report named ASU the most innovative school in the U.S. in its 2025 college rankings, ahead of MIT and Stanford.

Spotlight: 10 years of security solutions

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Ethical readiness of autonomous systems

Scientists at ASU and the University of New South Wales received a multiyear contract from DARPA to pioneer new research in military ethics and autonomous technologies. This contract was granted through DARPA’s Autonomy Standards and Ideals with Military Operational Values program, which aims to create benchmarks to assess how well autonomous systems, including those employing artificial intelligence, can handle complex, ethically sensitive situations in military settings.

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ASU to support DOD Irregular Warfare Center

ASU will work closely with the DOD and provide reputable academic research support to the DOD Irregular Warfare Center. ASU will lead a national consortium that will help the center understand current and emerging global trends in nontraditional warfare. The goal is to create a pool of national experts to help the U.S. develop effective solutions and tactics. So far, it is the biggest DOD award managed by GSI, with an anticipated $24 million over five years.

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Jackpot! ASU hackers win $2M at Vegas AI competition

The DARPA AI Cyber Challenge is a competition hosted at DEF CON, the world’s largest hacker convention. The contest aims to spur the development of a cybersecurity system powered by artificial intelligence, part of the U.S. government’s vital efforts to shore up national cybersecurity defense. The ASU-led Shellphish team won $2 million to continue developing their AI-based system, ARTIPHISHELL, and will demonstrate their finished system live at the finals in August.

Explore our resources

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Accelerate your research

Whether you need help finding funding opportunities, crafting a proposal or commercializing your discoveries — ASU supports researchers through the entire research cycle.

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Partner with us

We can accomplish more together. Find out how you can create customized partnerships with ASU that help your organization thrive.

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Gain career experience

Students are vital to our ecosystem of research, entrepreneurship and innovation. Find opportunities to apply your coursework to hands-on projects and real-world challenges.

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Support discovery

Philanthropy plays an important role in creating knowledge, pioneering discovery and catalyzing innovation. Learn how your gift can advance our work.

Be a part of ASU Knowledge Enterprise

Advance your career while making a difference. Knowledge Enterprise employees support research and innovation that benefits our communities and our world. And they enjoy generous and broad benefits including health and life insurance, retirement, tuition reduction and much more.