About the Research Institute

The Research Institute was established in 2018 to grow Saint Louis University’s research capabilities and affirm the University’s path to becoming a leading Jesuit research university.

The establishment of the Research Institute closely aligned with SLU’s Strategic Plan, which called for the University to make research a core part of its identity and to increase total research output.

A photograph of Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield outside of the Samuel Cupples House on SLU’s campus.

Rex and Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield.

The Research Institute was established following a historic gift from Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield in August 2018: $50 million — the largest single gift in the University’s history — to accelerate research growth at the University and place SLU on the path to becoming a preeminent research university.

Goals of the Research Institute

Achieve and sustain annual research expenditure growth that places SLU among the fastest growing universities in the country
Establish eminence in strategic, university-wide research priority areas
Raise the profile and reputation of SLU as a world-class research university in the St. Louis area and around the world
Recruit and retain world-class research leaders and provide significant investments in their work
Leverage the initial gift from Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield to increase federal, industry, and philanthropic funding for research done at SLU

Impact of the Research Institute

The Research Institute has been transformative for research at SLU, investing millions into the University’s research infrastructure and strategic areas of strength, while recruiting and retaining world-class researchers and directly investing in their work.

These investments have made SLU into one of the fastest growing Catholic, Jesuit research institutions in the country. In 2025, SLU earned the highly revered “Research 1” designation from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Two scientists wearing face masks as they examine samples through microscopes.

Sharon Frey, M.D., and Daniel Hoft, Ph.D., M.D., examine samples in the Center for Vaccine Development during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoft received support from the Research Institute’s Rapid Response COVID-19 Seed Fund in 2020.

Responding to a Crisis

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the Research Institute rapidly moved to support researchers across the University, purchasing new equipment and funding research projects related to the pandemic. These included projects to develop user-specific N95 respirators for health care workers and a mobile app to track viral hotspots.

This crisis demonstrated how the Research Institute can provide direct, flexible support to researchers as they rapidly respond to emerging global challenges.

A woman examines several large manuscripts that are laid out in front of her

Atria Larson, Ph.D., examines a manuscript in the Vatican Film Library in Pius XII Memorial Library. Larson is a Research Institute Fellow.

Recruiting the Best

The Research Institute has built an ambitious culture of discovery and innovation with researchers at the heart of it, helping recruit or retain 54 world-class researchers since 2018.

Additionally, the Research Institute launched the Research Institute Fellows program in 2022 to recognize SLU researchers for their scholarly accomplishments and eminence in their fields, while bringing SLU researchers together from across disciplines. These 91 fellows attend unique programs designed to stimulate interdisciplinary collaborations and discover where research questions may intersect.

A man examines a large drone on SLU's campus

Justin Vilbig, geospatial data scientist, prepares a drone for flight.

Pursuing Big Ideas

The Research Institute has invested in a number of interdisciplinary projects that have since grown into full research centers. These centers examine a range of issues, using health care data to improve patient and population health while reducing health care costs, addressing critical water resource challenges and securing water-related infrastructure and conducting academic, nonpartisan public opinion polling in the state of Missouri that is frequently cited by elected officials and national news outlets.

In 2019, the Research Institute funded a new geospatial initiative at SLU, bringing together experts across departments. The project secured millions in grant support and strengthened regional partnerships.

Sinquefield Center for Applied Economic Research

As part of the Research Institute, the Sinquefield Center for Applied Economic Research (SCAER) was established in 2018 to advance rigorous research and inform public policy.

The center studies a broad range of topics — taxation, education, health, regulation, entrepreneurship, and technology policy — and develops large databases related to Missouri and St. Louis, all to create economic opportunities for residents across the region.

A Vision Shaped with Researchers

The Research Institute works closely with faculty research leaders to ensure the support it offers to the University community addresses researchers’ needs. This has enabled research growth that aligns with both the strengths and capabilities of the colleges as well as the University’s larger research ambitions.

The Research Institute engages a number of research councils and committees in allocating funding and identifying emerging research priorities. These bodies are made up of SLU faculty and administrators.