Construction is officially underway for i3R, a flexible, state-of-the-art facility that will advance the research prominence of the University of Arkansas. The new building will accommodate up to 30 faculty members and their teams and serve as a research hub, with integrated activities linking it to other research facilities on campus. The Institute is conceptualized around five Innovation Clusters: material science; data science; bioscience and bioengineering research and education in metabolism; food and technology; and integrative systems neuroscience.

Thanks to a $194.7 million grant from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, i3R will advance research and economic development throughout the region. The Institute will establish partnerships with the private sector to encourage collaboration and innovation in the local business and start-up community. With an anticipated completion date in June 2024, the building is set to become a model for public research and partnerships for economic development.