Research & Technical Services

Not only is Iowa fertile ground for growing crops and livestock, it is the best place for growing the next generation of technologies and ideas. Here, entrepreneurs and founders find a critical mass of resources and experts that can help them take an idea or lab discovery from research and development, through testing and on to commercial introduction.

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Find the right resources to take your idea to the next level with contract research, lab or demonstration facility space and more.

Animal Sciences

Not only is Iowa home to the most productive and innovative livestock producers in the world, those producers are supported by the strongest base of researchers and industry professionals to deliver new technologies and information to care for animals and improve sustainability and productivity.

Iowa State Department of Animal Science

Globally recognized as one of the best programs for experiential learning, the department features state-of-the-art research facilities in swine nutrition and ruminant nutrition and swine, sheep, beef, poultry, dairy and equine teaching farms. Learn more.

Swine Medicine Education Center

Provides veterinary students and practicing veterinarians from across the U.S. and world with extensive hands-on experiences and education in swine health and production. Learn more.

Meats Laboratory

A state-of-the-art facility with full processing capability that also supports technology and product development for researchers and private companies. Learn more.

Iowa State Teaching Farms

Located on 450 acres near campus, teaching farms are an invaluable for resource for students and staff to conduct cutting-edge research and gain hands-on experience in swine, sheep, beef, poultry, dairy and equine care and production. Learn more.

Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

A national leader in protecting animal and human health, the full-service laboratories process more than 127,000 cases each year and conduct more than 1.7 million tests annually. Learn more.

Iowa Pork Industry Center

IPIC supports the Iowa pork industry by offering timely and research-based educational opportunities and resources through conferences, workshops, webinars, digital resources, and more. Learn more.

Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center

With 58,000 square feet of multifunctional space, the facility hosting classes and labs, banquets and conferences, livestock shows and rodeos and more. Learn more.

USDA National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH)

A 500+ acre campus is the center of livestock research, foreign disease diagnostics and vaccine/biologic regulation for the nation. It includes three government centers: USDA’s National Animal Disease Center (NADC), National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), and Centers for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). Learn more.

Biobased Products

For companies looking to start or grow a bio-based or renewable business, Iowa’s research and commercial infrastructure stands apart. As the nation’s renewable fuel and energy leader, there are a number of resources available for research, lab and technical services in the biobased fuel and materials industry.

BioCentury Research Farm

The nation’s first integrated research and demonstration facility dedicated to biomass production and processing, internationally recognized as the home of cutting-edge bioeconomy science and engineering. Learn more.

Bioeconomy Institute

Established in 2007, the Institute supports transdisciplinary collaboration across whole value chains, research and demonstration of processing systems and conversion technologies, and scaling technologies toward commercialization of biobased products and associated services. Learn more.

Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites

Bringing together university researchers and industry members to push the boundaries of renewable resources and establish new revenue creating processes and products. Learn more.

Center for Crops Utilization Research

CCUR is the home of research (both basic and applied), development, technology transfer, and commercialization activities that will increase and enhance utilization of Midwestern crops and create new agricultural utilization enterprises in Iowa. Learn more.

Center for Multiphase Flow Research and Education

CoMFRE accelerates knowledge transfer from fundamental scientific advances in multiphase flow to industrial applications and end-users in multiple industries. Learn more.

BioMADE

A new pilot-scale bioindustrial manufacturing facility is being developed that will include up to 10,000-liter industrial fermenters, dry and wet lab space, and downstream processing capabilities to develop agricultural bioproducts, chemicals, food and more. Learn more.

Center for Biorenewable Chemicals

CBiRC focuses on using biomass to create biobased products that are healthier, sustainable, and more effective alternatives to petrochemical products. Learn more.

Fermentation Facility

Located at CCUR, the facility allows researchers to develop new fermentation and downstream processing technologies at small- and pilot-scale. Learn more.

Digital Ag & Manufacturing

When the world’s leaders develop the next generation of ag technologies, they come to Iowa. The opportunity to partner with scientists and researchers and be in close proximity to forward-thinking farmers and livestock producers is the perfect combination for developing and testing new products and technologies.

ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab

Located at the ISU Research Park, the lab is the premier thought leader and partner in ag innovation and works with researchers and industry partners to advance agriculture through innovative technology and data-driven solutions. Learn more.

University of Northern Iowa Metal Casting Center

A nationally recognized leader in foundry research, applied technology and technical business assistance. Learn more.

Center for Industrial Research and Service ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab

CIRAS delivers practical, research-based solutions that help Iowa businesses grow, improve operations, develop leaders, and build strong teams. Learn more.

CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab

The CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab helps Iowa manufacturers explore emerging technologies in a practical, low-risk environment. Learn more.

University of Iowa Protostudios

State-of-the-art rapid-prototyping facility to assist Iowa's entrepreneurs, inventors, startups, educational and medical faculty, staff, and students.

Plant Science

Iowa is home to leading plant science research centers focused on crop improvement, seed science, and agricultural innovation. These resources support breakthroughs that help advance productivity, sustainability, and global food production.

Bioengineering Center

This laboratory uses basic and applied research to enable the bioengineering of valuable traits in a variety of crops. Learn more.

CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab

Home to the largest public seed testing laboratory in the world and an international center of excellence in seed research, education, technology transfer, and international seed programs. Learn more.