Research matters to
The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) invests in strategic research talent recruitment, retention, and recognition to generate scientific and engineering breakthroughs that support statewide economic development.
About ARA
Founded in 2008, Arkansas Research Alliance is a 501(c)3 organization governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of chancellors from Arkansas research universities and chief executives from companies across the state.
Operating as a public-private partnership, ARA envisions an advanced Arkansas economy fueled by robust and collaborative university research talent and capabilities.
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ARA Academy Members
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Recent News
ARA Adds Three Powerful Voices for Research to Its Board of Trustees
Little Rock, AR 8/2025 – The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) announced today the addition of three new members to the organization’s Board of Trustees: Dr. Anthony Graham, Chancellor, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB); Phillip Poston, Chief Development Officer, Hytrol Conveyors; and Jamie Pafford-Gresham, President and CEO, Pafford Medical Services. “Building a more competitive … <a href="https://aralliance.org/ara-adds-three-powerful-voices-for-research-to-its-board-of-trustees/">Continued</a>
Posted: August 29, 2025
AR-NETWORK Convenes for Strategic Planning Meeting in Little Rock
For the first time, AR-NETWORK leaders met to map out an implementation plan to move forward. In July, Arkansas Research Alliance announced the launch of AR-NETWORK (Arkansas Nexus for Excellence in Technology, Workforce, Outreach, and Research Knowledge), which was created by an $8 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). On August 19, leadership … <a href="https://aralliance.org/11501-2/">Continued</a>
Posted: August 20, 2025
Arkansas Research Alliance Launches AR-NETWORK Program
$8M NSF Award is first of its kind for an Arkansas organization The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) announced today that it has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for $8 million to launch a new statewide, cross-sector program called AR-NETWORK. This program is designed to amplify Arkansas’ research capacity, accelerate commercialization, and expand … <a href="https://aralliance.org/arkansas-research-alliance-launches-ar-network-program/">Continued</a>
Posted: July 31, 2025