IU Indianapolis marks first year with major investments in infrastructure, research, student opportunity
In just one year since the official transition to Indiana University Indianapolis, IU isn’t just making progress – it's boldly redefining what’s possible for the capital city.
This campus has achieved major milestones in its first year, including being named an R1 university – a distinction reserved for universities with the “highest level of research activity.” The designation is a recognition of IU Indianapolis’ membership in an elite group of institutions with at least $50 million in research expenditures and more than 70 doctorate graduates per year.
“Our R1 status isn’t important because of the prestige; it is important because it reflects a deep commitment to improving lives for Hoosiers,” said Latha Ramchand, chancellor of IU Indianapolis and executive vice president of Indiana University. “IU Indianapolis researchers are advancing life-saving discoveries in areas like prostate cancer, diabetes and hydrocephalus, and our graduates are earning degrees in high-demand areas such as biotechnology, health care and computer science.”
IU Indianapolis is adding more than 650,000 square feet across four buildings to expand its footprint in the city. The first of these projects to open its doors is the Medical Education and Research Building, the new flagship facility for the IU School of Medicine. Next, the IU STEM LAB Building, an extension to the existing Science and Engineering Lab Building, will open in fall 2026. The IU Science and Technology Corridor facility will focus on biomedical sensors, diagnostics and wearable technology. Lastly, the state-of-the-art James T. Morris Arena will play a key role in the strategy to grow Indianapolis’ sports ecosystem.
In just one year, IU Indianapolis has become a catalyst for opportunity – for students, the city and the state. Working together with community and industry partners, IU is building a future where education and innovation thrive at the heart of Indiana’s capital.
Read the full story
IU Indianapolis named an R1 university
Learn more about IU Indianapolis seamless admissions program
Learn more about Pathway to Medicine Program
Learn more about IU Indianapolis Department of Computer Science
State Update
On June 25, the Indiana General Assembly’s Legislative Council announced interim committee topics for legislators to study between now and the 2026 short session. The council authorized and directed 18 different legislative interim committees and task forces to deal with 22 topics and responsibilities. Nine statutory study committees (including Education) and task forces (including Health Care Cost Oversight and Medicaid Oversight) will not meet as they were not assigned any topics for the interim.
Read the State Update
Federal Update
This week’s Federal Update covers Congressional and Executive Branch activities of interest in Washington, D.C.
Read the Federal Update
Previous Federal Reports
Economic Engagement Update
Full Agenda announced for Inaugural IU Economic Development Summit
The Office of the Vice President for University Relations is excited to share the finalized agenda for the inaugural Indiana University Economic Development Summit, taking place Tuesday, August 12 at the University Tower Ballroom in Indianapolis.
The day will feature a lunch keynote with IU President Pamela Whitten and Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Adams, as well as sessions led by IU faculty and staff experts, featuring insights from industry and community leaders, entrepreneurs, and economic development professionals from across Indiana.
View the full Summit agenda and register here
IU-led Alzheimer’s drug discovery center moves forward with promising new therapeutic targets
Indiana University School of Medicine researchers have identified a portfolio of novel drug targets that may accelerate promising treatments for patients living with Alzheimer’s disease.
For more than half a decade, the IU-led TREAT-AD drug discovery center — Target Enablement to Accelerate Therapy Development for Alzheimer’s Disease — has spearheaded this integral research to reinvigorate and grow the pipeline of potential therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease. The center is a partnership between researchers at the IU School of Medicine, Purdue University, the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Lgenia Inc. and the University of Pittsburgh.
“What has been collectively accomplished across the IU School of Medicine over the past several years has begun to solidify a true center of excellence that investigates the basic science of Alzheimer’s disease, translates it to therapeutic opportunities and develops a pathway for next-generation clinical studies,” said Alan Palkowitz, senior research professor of medicine at the IU School of Medicine.
Palkowitz leads the drug discovery center with co-principal investigators IU Distinguished Professor Bruce T. Lamb, executive director of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute and the Roberts Family Professor of Alzheimer’s Disease Research at the IU School of Medicine; and Timothy Richardson, senior research professor of medicine at the IU School of Medicine.
Learn more about the IU-led TREAT-AD drug discovery center
New residency programs will train more primary-care physicians in southern Indiana
Southern Indiana will soon become a hotbed for training primary care physicians, as two new Indiana University School of Medicine residency programs have gained the accreditation necessary to begin their crucial work in 2026.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved applications from the Department of Medicine for an internal medicine program and the Department of Emergency Medicine to train emergency medicine physicians.
These programs will provide new doctors across two areas — emergency and internal medicine — that are of need for the state, particularly in rural areas. They also represent a key next step in the ongoing partnership between the IU School of Medicine and Indiana University Health.
Learn more about the new residency programs
IU in the News
IU taking steps to comply with new state legislation regarding degree programs
Indiana University is taking steps to comply with Indiana Code 21-18-9-10.5, which the Indiana General Assembly amended in the 2025-27 state budget.
The new law requires that state educational institutions request approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to continue programs that graduate fewer students than statutory thresholds. If ICHE does not grant approval for those programs, the institution must eliminate the degree program.
Read the full story
Hoosier the Bison returns as IU Bloomington's official mascot
Indiana University's official mascot – Hoosier The Bison - has returned to the IU-Bloomington campus after a nearly 60-year hiatus. The mascot's homecoming is a result of the 'Bring Back the Bison Act' passed by the Indiana University Student Body Congress on Dec. 16, 2024. In response to the student government vote to re-adopt the Bison as the official IU-Bloomington mascot, IU Athletics moved forward with embracing it as a symbol of both the department and campus' spirit, passion, tradition, unity, and success.
Read the full story
Artificial intelligence used to improve speed and accuracy of autism and ADHD diagnoses
It can take as long as 18 months for children with suspected autism spectrum or attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorders to get a diagnostic appointment with a psychiatrist in Indiana. But an interdisciplinary team led by an Indiana University researcher has developed a new diagnostic approach using artificial intelligence that could speed up and improve the detection of neurodivergent disorders.
Read the full story
Indiana youths explore careers, build confidence at Kids College summer program
IU’s Kids College is a free camp designed for students who may qualify for the 21st Century Scholars program to prepare for college while exploring potential career paths.
Read the full story
