Who Is Funding the Science That's Too Early for Venture Capital?
April 22, 2026
University of Delaware
#117 in Universities
117Institution Overview
Overall
Ranking
117
67
Rank in
Research Capabilities
139
Rank in
Entrepreneurial Readiness
165
Rank in
Market Translation
Newark, DE
The University of Delaware ranks 117th among universities in the Cure Innovation Index. Located in Newark, Delaware, the university's strongest performance comes in Research Capabilities, where it ranks 67th, well ahead of its overall standing. Market Translation and Entrepreneurial Readiness rank 165th and 139th, respectively, reflecting a profile that leans toward discovery. The university operates an incubator and accelerator, supports faculty-led clinical trials, and offers an MD/MBA dual degree program. This combination reflects an institution where research capabilities lead and commercial infrastructure is present but secondary.
Ranking Metrics
Research Capabilities
University of Delaware ranked above average for Research Capabilities, a measure of the foundational infrastructure and resources that enable an institution to conduct high-quality, innovative science. Out of the factors in this category, University of Delaware fared best in Funding Support.
Learn MoreEntrepreneurial Readiness
University of Delaware ranked below average for Entrepreneurial Readiness, a measure of whether the institution has built a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and whether faculty are engaged in and incentivized toward commercial activity. Out of the factors in this category, University of Delaware fared best in Ecosystem Support.
Learn MoreMarket Translation
University of Delaware ranked below average for Market Translation, a measure of how effectively a research institution moves scientific discovery out of the lab and into real-world clinical and commercial applications. Out of the factors in this category, University of Delaware fared best in Health Impact.
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Cure Innovation Index Methodology
From a pool of more than 6,000 institutions, the top 303 were ranked using two dozen indicators — from scientific foundation and lab infrastructure to patents, products, and partnerships — drawn from more than a dozen federal and commercial databases, an original audit of all institutions, and surveys of more than 3,300+ scientists, industry leaders, and biomedical experts.
Insights From the Cure Innovation Index
Explore by Category
Innovation isn't a single moment — it's an entire ecosystem. The Index evaluates institutions across two dozen indicators, grouped in three core domains that reveal the full picture of what it takes to turn groundbreaking science into real-world impact.
