Research that improves lives

The KU Life Span Institute is a network of more than 450 KU scientists, staff and students. Our discoveries help improve the health and development of people in Kansas, across the nation, and around the world.

Featured News

A boy reads a book with a background of the state of Kansas and a sunflower behind him.

Statewide partnership to help improve literacy rates evaluates school readiness, educator training

KU researchers are working to address declining literacy rates in Kansas schools, where just 1 out of 3 students are reaching grade-level proficiency. The goal through the state's Blueprint for Literacy initiative is to reach 90% proficiency for students across Kansas.

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Research aims to identify underlying causes for linked mental health issues

A researcher from the University of Kansas has led a large-scale study of veterans to better understand how psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders are connected.

An illustration of people in different employment roles

KU expanding job opportunities for disabled Kansans through state investment

University of Kansas researchers have launched the second phase of the Kansas Employment First project, expanding access to competitive integrated employment for Kansans with disabilities.

A panel of adults and youth speak in front of an audience at a community event.

Wyandotte County Kicks Off Youth Violence Prevention Week with celebration that highlights achievements

Community and local leaders turn out to support the KU-based initiative, which has contributed to a 38% drop in youth homicides since it began.

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Our Commitment

Explore how our researchers, staff and students come together to solve problems affecting the health of children, families and communities.

Helping People Thrive

Our Work

Learn about the research of more than 130 investigators working on dozens of projects spanning education, self-determination, disability policy, neuroscience, behavior, language, child development and more.

Explore research areas

Our Economic Impact

An economic analysis indicates the KU Life Span Institute had an estimated $30 million impact on the Kansas economy

A look at the numbers

Research at a Glance

$46M

external funding in FY25

489

investigators, staff and students

70+

years of improving human health and development

Ranked #1 Worldwide

Life Span Institute science and scholarship fuels the university's No. 1 rank worldwide in Developmental Disability research over the prior five years.

ScholarGPS Ranks KU No. 1

Stories of Our Impact

Read about the impact of Life Span Institute research on individuals and communities in Kansas and beyond.

Explore the Life Span Institute

People

More than 400 investigators, staff and students are part of the KU Life Span Institute. Find individual staff and connect with our research centers.

Impact

View stories about the impact of our research, grant news, and discoveries from the fields of education, addiction, autism spectrum disorder, community health and more.

News

For researchers

Connect with services that support researchers including study design, grant development, award support, and video and web production.

Services

Support the Life Span Institute

We invite you to help drive our mission to discover, develop and deliver approaches to improve the health and development of people in Kansas, throughout the region and beyond.

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Research Opportunities

Our investigators pursue science that has the potential to change people’s lives. They often depend on volunteers to partner as participants in research. We are thankful to the many infants, children, and adults who support our commitment to impact the lives of people in Kansas and beyond.

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