The Research Academy provides professional development in research and engagement to a cohort of tenure-track early-career faculty from across campus. The program includes training sessions, workshops, and other activities intended to enhance their abilities as principal investigators. The Research Academy offers a great opportunity for interdisciplinary connections and collaborative introductions between faculty of all disciplines. The program helps attract, support, and retain productive and engaged faculty, and grows research at Illinois.

Funding for the Research Academy is generously provided by the L.H Rothfuss Research Program and participating Colleges at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.