Tamtam Start free

Research institutes headquartered in North Carolina

Tamtam tracks 25 research institutes headquartered in North Carolina. This list ranks all of them by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. Their median headcount is 1,908. Half of them were founded in 1940 or later. The most common headquarters are Durham (7), Chapel Hill (5) and Raleigh (5).

馃嚭馃嚫 North Carolina25 companiesUpdated Nov 2, 2026
#CompanyIndustryHeadquarters EmployeesFounded
1
North Carolina State Universityncsu.edu

Comprehensive university specializing in STEM education and research, committed to improving quality of life locally and globally through innovation.

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Raleigh 20,729 1887
2
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hillunc.edu

A leading public university known for its vibrant community, diverse student body, academic excellence, and unmatched value in higher education

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Chapel Hill 20,098 n/a
3
Duke Universityduke.edu

Private research university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional education with strong emphasis on research and academic excellence.

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Durham 16,307 1924
4
University of North Carolina at Charlottecharlotte.edu

Developing fearless leaders in a vibrant city, shaping lives, industries, and communities for the future

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Charlotte 9,289 1946
5
East Carolina Universityecu.edu

Educates North Carolina residents, conducts research, and provides community service, preparing future workforce leaders through academic programs and partnerships, especially in eastern North Carolina.

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Greenville 8,642 1907
6
RTI Internationalrti.org

Independent scientific research institute providing technical, social, statistical, and engineering expertise to solve critical global challenges and improve human conditions.

Research Services 馃嚭馃嚫 Research Triangle Park 6,607 1958
7
Appalachian State Universityappstate.edu

A university in North Carolina preparing students to be global citizens, emphasizing sustainability, scholarship, and service in the Appalachian mountains

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Boone 6,398 1899
8
University of North Carolina at Greensborouncg.edu

A public doctoral-granting university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, located in a picturesque campus in a thriving city

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Greensboro 5,533 1891
9
North Carolina Central Universitynccu.edu

A historic institution offering diverse bachelor's, master's, law, and PhD programs that prepare students to become global leaders and engaged problem solvers

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Durham 3,102 1910
10
University of North Carolina Systemnorthcarolina.edu

A multi-campus university system in North Carolina dedicated to teaching, research, outreach, and service with over 225,000 students enrolled

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Raleigh 2,948 1776
11
Duke University School of Medicinemedschool.duke.edu

Leading medical school with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and innovation to improve human health locally and globally

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Durham 2,542 1930
12
Wake Forest University School of Medicineschool.wakehealth.edu

Leading academic medical center educating students, conducting cutting-edge research, and providing compassionate patient care locally, nationally, and globally

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Winston-Salem 1,985 1902
13
UNC School of Medicinemed.unc.edu

A nationally ranked public medical school with campuses in Chapel Hill, Asheville, and Charlotte, offering top-notch medical education and training

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Chapel Hill 1,908 n/a
14
Duke Clinical Research Institutedcri.org

A global leader in clinical research, conducting groundbreaking trials, managing patient registries, and publishing impactful research to improve healthcare quality

Research Services 馃嚭馃嚫 Durham 1,009 1969
15
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)niehs.nih.gov

The organization based in North Carolina conducts research on how the environment impacts human health to improve overall well-being

Research Services 馃嚭馃嚫 Research Triangle Park 901 1966
16
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Healthlinktr.ee

The UNC Gillings School is a top-ranked public health institution dedicated to improving public health, promoting well-being, and eliminating health inequities globally

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Chapel Hill 649 1940
17
Duke University Pratt School of Engineeringpratt.duke.edu

A top-ranked engineering school providing rigorous education, research, and societal impact to cultivate purposeful and impactful lives for students

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Durham 638 1939
18
NC State College of Veterinary Medicinecvm.ncsu.edu

An institution dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine through research, medical innovation, compassionate care, and educating the next generation of veterinarians and researchers

Veterinary Services 馃嚭馃嚫 Raleigh 574 1985
19
SRC Research Scholars Programsrc.org

The company provides educational opportunities for students and researchers in the semiconductor industry, fostering industry-relevant research and talent development

Research Services 馃嚭馃嚫 Durham 511 1982
20
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacypharmacy.unc.edu

A leading pharmacy school focused on developing leaders in pharmacy education, practice, and research, with unique opportunities and collaborations worldwide

Higher Education 馃嚭馃嚫 Chapel Hill 483 n/a
21
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Centerunclineberger.org

Leading cancer center with NCI designation, focusing on prevention, early detection, and treatment through research, clinical trials, and expert physicians

Research Services 馃嚭馃嚫 Chapel Hill 465 1984
22
Cotton Incorporatedcottoninc.com

Specializing in agricultural, fiber, and textile research, this organization promotes cotton through market information, technical services, advertising, and consumer outreach

Textile Manufacturing 馃嚭馃嚫 Cary 415 1970
23
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciencesnaturalsciences.org

The museum offers interactive exhibits, programs, and field experiences to engage visitors of all ages in science and nature exploration

Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos 馃嚭馃嚫 Raleigh 318 1879
24
The Duke Human Vaccine Institutedhvi.duke.edu

A leader in infectious disease research, DHVI focuses on developing vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to address global health challenges and disparities

Research Services 馃嚭馃嚫 Durham 184 1990
25
NC Clean Energy Technology Centernccleantech.ncsu.edu

The company promotes sustainable energy by educating, demonstrating, and supporting clean energy technologies, practices, and policies through various program areas and initiatives

Renewables & Environment 馃嚭馃嚫 Raleigh 143 1988

Turn this list into pipeline

Tamtam finds the decision-makers at every company on a list like this one, with verified emails, phone numbers and the buying signals that tell you when to reach out.

Build your own list, free

How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 2, 2026.

More company lists in North Carolina

The same list elsewhere in United States