GRA BLOG
May 20, 2026
Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State Join the Georgia Research Alliance
May 20, 2026—The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) announced today that Georgia Southern University and Kennesaw State University have been named GRA members, joining the ranks of Georgia’s leading universities in research and entrepreneurship. In recent years, both universities have demonstrated significant momentum in funded research and are poised to soon be designated as “Research 1” institutions under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
“I’ve been a big believer in the Georgia Research Alliance since my days as governor because I’ve seen exactly what it can do for our economy,” University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Welcoming Georgia Southern University and Kennesaw State University onto the GRA team is a home run.
April 16, 2026
The Relentless Ralph Tripp
A tribute to the late GRA Eminent Scholar
Last month, the world sadly lost Ralph Tripp, a GRA Eminent Scholar at the University of Georgia. Ralph was a true force of discovery and innovation in the field of viral immunology. His H-index, a metric of how often his published work was cited by other researchers, was a phenomenal 83. Peers had great respect for him — two years ago, he was elected a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors.
March 17, 2026
Streamlining the path to market
GRA refreshes its Innovation & Entrepreneurship program
Last week the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) convened university innovation leaders from across the state to introduce the next evolution of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) program.
The updated program structure was introduced by Justin Burns, GRA’s chief innovation officer, during a gathering of university representatives and research innovation leaders at the University of Georgia Innovation District and Innovation Gateway.
Since its launch in 2003, the I&E program has helped university discoveries move from research labs toward products, companies and solutions that improve lives and strengthen Georgia’s innovation economy.
Over the past decade, the program has supported hundreds of translational research projects and helped launch new technology ventures across the state.
