OpenFieldUNL · Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) is the flagship land-grant research university of Nebraska and an elite Carnegie R1 institution founded in 1869. Internationally recognized for agricultural robotics, drought mitigation science, high-power laser physics, plant phenomics, and materials nanoscience, UNL drives over $350 million in annual research, anchoring innovation across the Great Plains.
UNL spans nine colleges including the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Law. Key research centers include the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), the Extreme Light Laboratory, Nebraska Innovation Campus, and the Center for Plant Science Innovation.
Undergraduate admissions evaluate high school performance and core competencies. Graduate admissions require an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and English language proficiency (TOEFL 79+ or IELTS 6.5+).
Elite agricultural doctorate utilizing Nebraska Innovation Campus greenhouse phenotyping facilities to study maize and sorghum drought adaptation, gene editing, and digital agriculture.
World-class laser physics research at the Extreme Light Laboratory utilizing the Diocles petawatt laser to study laser wakefield particle acceleration, ultrafast X-ray scattering, and relativistic plasma dynamics.
Doctoral research based at the National Drought Mitigation Center (home of the U.S. Drought Monitor), analyzing groundwater depletion in the High Plains Ogallala Aquifer, climate forecasting, and remote sensing hydrology.
Interdisciplinary computer science doctorate pioneering uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) crop canopy sensing, field robotics navigation algorithms, big data distributed systems, and edge AI.
Advanced engineering research in electrospun polymer nanofiber scaffolds, smart multifunctional hydrogels, finite element biomechanics modeling, and additive manufacturing.
The nation's pioneer LL.M. program specializing in commercial satellite licensing, orbital debris regulation, cyber warfare international law, military space operations, and spectrum allocation.
Earle M. & Virginia M. Jorgensen Professor of Physics
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Dr. Umstadter directs the Extreme Light Laboratory, studying relativistic optics, ultra-high-field laser interactions, table-top synchrotron X-ray generation, a...
View researcher profile ↗Susan J. Rosowski Professor of Computer Science
School of Computing & Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience
Dr. Detweiler co-directs the NIMBUS Lab, developing autonomous uncrewed aerial systems for environmental monitoring, aerial water sampling, and drone-based fire...
View researcher profile ↗Director & Climatologist
National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC)
Dr. Svoboda is an internationally recognized drought specialist, co-originating the U.S. Drought Monitor, designing global drought early-warning systems, and ad...
View researcher profile ↗OpenField is an independent research platform not officially affiliated with University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Information reflects public documentation reviewed on 2026-10-16. Students must verify application deadlines, fee structures, and prerequisite details directly with official university admissions departments before applying.
Updated 2026-10-16 · Editorial policy · Submit corrections