Because research is so big of a focus at all three of our region’s largest institutions—Duke ranks 7th, UNC Chapel Hill 11th and NC State 52nd—here’s a recap of 2014 from each school. (The numbers above represent fiscal year 2012, the most recent year the National Science Foundation has reported university spend on research).

Duke produced this video recap exploring its 2014 research priorities. And check out the stories behind them in this photo essay. 
UNC shares its 2014 research funding here, and stories of its researchers and their work here. Think Ebola data collection, autism research, adolescent health studies, racial segregation, the Obama BRAIN neuroscience initiative, e-cigs and more.
And NC State wants to test everyone’s knowledge with this 10-question quiz about its research efforts of 2014. Study up by reading the stories here.
Stay tuned for January 2015, when the government releases its new university rankings for federal research funding and expenditures.