Our Mission
The Opioid Research Institute (ORI) serves as a hub for research around opioid-related use, harm prevention and access to care. With the goal of addressing the societal and individual challenges presented by opioid misuse, ORI is focused on supporting collaborative, innovative and interdisciplinary research that spans the translational spectrum.
The Institute also serves as a connection point for community members and organizations engaged in opioid-related work, bridging the gap between academia and state and national partners. The Institute strives to make a statewide and national impact through an equity-focused approach and provides learning opportunities for students of all levels (intern through postdoctoral). Ensuring learners have access to support for their work in this field of study is critical to bringing the next generation of scholars forward.
Our Vision
A centralized research hub
Housed within the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of Michigan, the Opioid Research Institute (ORI) serves as a centralized research hub seeking to address the societal and individual challenges presented by opioid misuse across the country.
As an ambassador for those involved in opioid-related work, ORI shares evidence-based treatment and prevention programming, elevates faculty and students’ research to educate those making policy decisions and provides best practices for clinicians and other prescribers. Our teams catalyze research, create a platform for bench-to-bedside translation, support community initiatives using evidence-based solutions and amplify efforts through strategic communications.
Building the Next Generation
ORI is focused on helping to build the next generation of opioid researchers by developing interdisciplinary project opportunities around opioid and substance use to ensure multiple backgrounds and professions are included in this critical conversation. ORI also collaborates with community partners on overdose prevention, treatment options, data usage and collection, lifelong recovery support and removing barriers to care.
Annual Reports
Launched in April of 2023, the Opioid Research Institute is focused on addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic by providing evidence-based strategies and solutions to communities across the state and nation. In its first year of operation, the Institute has made critical progress in centralizing opioid-related research across U-M’s three campuses and collaborating with academic and state partners to understand the current landscape and state of the research field. Learn more about the Institute’s first year in our inaugural Annual Report.
Download Report