The University of Arizona Joins the GFCC

University of Arizona Campus aerial view. Credit: University of Arizona

The GFCC is pleased to welcome the University of Arizona to its distinguished network of global universities committed to innovation, transformational research, and inclusive prosperity.

A leading U.S. public research institution, the University of Arizona reported research expenditures exceeding US$1 billion in FY 2024, spanning a broad range of disciplines, with particular strength in health, space, and water. Its scale, depth, and interdisciplinary reach position the university at the forefront of addressing complex global challenges.

The University of Arizona is internationally recognized for excellence in astronomy and astrophysics, hosting multiple NASA-funded initiatives and a long-standing legacy in planetary science. Its faculty and researchers contributed to major space discoveries even before the first human landing on the moon. Today, the university remains a central hub for educating future space scientists while developing critical instruments and technologies that advance space exploration.

Equally important, the university demonstrates a strong commitment to real-world impact, actively partnering with industry, government, nonprofit organizations, and communities to translate research and education into tangible public value.

“The University of Arizona is one of the world’s pre-eminent research universities, leading breakthrough scientific discoveries in space, and shepherding unique capabilities and infrastructure across astronomy, critical materials, and mining” said Deborah L. Wince-Smith, President of the GFCC. “They will contribute meaningfully to strengthening our global dialogue on universities as engines of economic growth and innovation.”

The University of Arizona ranks number one in the U.S. Southwest and has been recognized by Times Higher Education as a Top 25 public university, underscoring its academic excellence, research leadership, and societal impact.

Learn more about the University and Research Leadership Forum.