The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is ranked among the top 20 universities listed on the 2026 Cure Innovation Index, a first-of-its-kind ranking of U.S. biomedical research institutions based on their capacity to move scientific discoveries from the laboratory into hospitals and pharmacies.
UNC was named the 18th "Most Innovative Institution" among hundreds of universities across the nation, right on the heels of Northwestern University and Columbia University. UNC also received acclaim as an "Index 25 University," meaning it was in the top 25 across all three domains: entrepreneurial readiness, research capabilities and market translation.
Here is a list of other UNC accolades on the 2026 Cure Innovation Index:
- #14 in Entrepreneurial Readiness: How effectively institutions prepare and support researchers to pursue biomedical innovation and commercialization.
- #22 in Research Capabilities: The scientific strength, infrastructure and funding base that enables high-impact biomedical discoveries.
- #25 in Market Translation: How successfully institutions convert scientific discoveries into real-world health innovations.
Cure Innovation also gave a special nod to Carolina's Clinical and Translational Science Award, faculty-led clinical trials, and MSTP and MD/MBA dual-degree programs. It also acknowledged UNC's entrepreneurship infrastructure, which includes an incubator, an entrepreneur-in-residence program and biomedical entrepreneurship training.
For a full list of rankings, visit the Cure Innovation Index website here.
