Research & Innovation
campaign Spotlight: May 17, 2026
New Storytelling Project

Curiosity
on a Mission

A new initiative that champions long-horizon science powering American innovation.

The MIT effort highlights how basic research sparks enormous advances in medicine, technology, national security, and economic growth — demonstrating that the most transformative breakthroughs begin with unfettered scientific curiosity.

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$2.4B+ Annual Research Budget
700+ Active Research Labs
11,000+ Researchers & Faculty
97 Nobel Laureates
MIT Research

Research and Education that Matter

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Domestic metals

Found Industries aims to strengthen U.S. industrial supply chains

Found Industries uses its technology for extracting gallium and other critical metals. "We believe we can deploy this at scale to become one the first major Western suppliers of these metals," Peter Godart '15, SM '19, PhD '21 says.

neurology
Sharper brain imaging

A "pencil beam" laser enables brain imaging 25× faster than current methods

Researchers have found that a "pencil beam" laser allows brain imaging 25 times faster than current methods. This could help scientists quickly test whether new drugs for diseases like Alzheimer's or ALS are reaching their targets in the brain.

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Quantum security

An ultra-efficient microchip to guard medical devices from quantum attacks

Future quantum computers could break tried-and-true security schemes that now keep sensitive data secure. Engineers developed an ultra-efficient microchip to help protect power-constrained medical devices, like insulin pumps and pacemakers, from quantum attacks.

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Priority technologies

A new MIT book maps how the U.S. can leapfrog rivals in six key sectors

A new book by MIT faculty shows how the U.S. can move ahead in six key sectors, from semiconductors to biotechnology. "In each of these areas, there are breakthroughs to be had, where the U.S. can leapfrog competitors and gain an advantage," Elisabeth Reynolds says.

MIT's Global Footprint

A world without MIT

In a world without MIT, radar wouldn't have been available to help win World War II. We might not have email, CT scans, time-release drugs, photolithography, or GPS. And we'd lose over 30,000 companies, employing millions of people. Can you imagine?

 
Companies Founded by MIT alumni, faculty & staff worldwide
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The things we invent today are the foundation upon which all of tomorrow is built.

Since 1861

Contributions to the nation

Since its founding, MIT has been key to helping American science and innovation lead the world. Discoveries that begin here generate jobs and power the economy — and what we create today builds a better tomorrow for all of us.

biotech
Medical Breakthroughs
CT scans, time-release drugs & life-saving diagnostics
wifi
Communications
Email protocols, internet architecture & GPS navigation
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Economic Engine
Millions of jobs across manufacturing, tech & services
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National Defense
Radar, sonar & advanced defense technologies
 +
Nobel Laureates
affiliated with MIT
 M+
Jobs created by
MIT-founded companies
$ 
Annual revenue from
MIT alumni companies
 +
Years of advancing
human knowledge
 +
Turing Award
recipients