About the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute was launched by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021, in response to  America’s need for a stronger pool of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent.

UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL’s best capabilities and resources to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation and interdisciplinary graduate education; and to prepare the next generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation and the State of Tennessee. The institute’s current convergent research areas include clean manufacturing and advanced materials, energy storage and transportation, circular bioeconomy systems, and radiopharmaceutical therapies.

Mission

To strategically align the expertise and infrastructure of the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to usher in world-class interdisciplinary research and graduate education.

Vision

To become the coveted home for convergent research and talent development, helping maintain U.S. prominence as a global innovation leader and provide tangible impact to Tennessee. 

To achieve our mission, UT-ORII is building upon a 75-year partnership between UT and ORNL.  The Institute represents a new way of thinking about the UT-ORNL relationship and brings people, infrastructure and collaborative opportunities together in new ways to dramatically increase and accelerate the impact of this long-standing partnership.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the nation’s largest multiprogram science and technology laboratory. Since its establishment in 1943, ORNL has been delivering scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in energy and national security and provide economic benefit to the nation. More than 6,000 employees representing 60+ nations apply unique facilities, sophisticated tools and signature strengths in neutron science, high-performance computing, advanced materials, biology and environmental science, clean energy, fission and fusion science and engineering, isotopes and national security research to benefit science and society. In addition, ORNL’s wide range of partnerships with other DOE laboratories and programs, universities and industry have enabled outstanding contributions to science.

University of Tennessee System

UT is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; the Health Science Center at Memphis; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service. UT educates a combined 54,000 students each year. UT is ORNL’s largest research partner and since 2000 has partnered with Battelle Memorial Institute to manage the national lab. The program was formed as  a 50-50 limited liability partnership, and UT-Battelle is the legal entity responsible for delivering DOE’s research mission at ORNL. Both UT and Battelle are committed to serving the DOE by enhancing ORNL’s leadership in scientific research, laboratory operations and community service.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Established in 1794, UT Knoxville is Tennessee’s flagship land grant university and premier public research institution. It is classified by the Carnegie Commission as a research university with very high research activity (RU/VH). For more than 225 years, Volunteers have been lighting the way for others across Tennessee and throughout the world. UT Knoxville, which includes the UT Space Institute and the UT Institute of Agriculture, serves the state by educating its citizens, enhancing its culture and making a difference in people’s lives through research and service.