Columbia University receives unprecedented $400m gift to advance biomedical research
Roy and Diana Vagelos make history with the largest single donation to Columbia’s medical school, set to transform biomedical science research and education.
Diana and Roy Vagelos at the Met Gala, 2014
Columbia University has announced a massive $400 million gift from Roy and Diana Vagelos, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history. This unprecedented donation, the largest ever made to Columbia’s medical school, will help secure the university’s position at the forefront of biomedical science research and education. The gift’s primary focus will be on expanding the mission of the Vagelos-funded institute established in 2023, now known as the Roy and Diana Vagelos Institute for Basic Biomedical Science.
The newly expanded institute aims to create a dynamic organisational model that brings together research from Columbia’s basic science departments, leading medical and graduate education programmes, and exemplary research initiatives in clinical departments. This unified approach is designed to foster an ecosystem that nurtures innovation and collaboration among scientists.
Professor Katrina Armstrong, Dean of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, emphasised the significance of this integration: “By assembling this mix of mutually reinforcing activities, we seek to build the world’s foremost ecosystem for biomedical research and to attract the next generation of exceptionally creative and collaborative scientists able to realise this vision.”
State-of-the-art research facilities
A substantial portion of the gift will support the construction of a new biomedical research building, to be named the Vagelos Innovation Laboratories. Located at 167th Street and Audubon Avenue on the Washington Heights medical campus, this facility will provide over 55,000 square feet of cutting-edge laboratory space.
In line with Columbia University’s commitment to sustainability, the Vagelos Innovation Laboratories will set a new standard for eco-friendly research facilities. It is slated to become the first fully-electrified, university-owned laboratory building in New York City, showcasing the institution’s dedication to environmental responsibility alongside scientific advancement.
Advancing cell engineering and gene therapy
The generous donation will also provide significant support for the medical school’s programmes in cell engineering and gene therapy. These funds will facilitate the expansion of innovative collaborations that harness recent breakthroughs and new technologies in these fast evolving fields.
Research in these areas is expected to significantly advance treatment approaches for a wide range of diseases, including disorders of the blood and immune system, cancers, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory, neurological, and cardiovascular conditions.
A legacy of philanthropy
Roy and Diana Vagelos have long been recognised as exceptional benefactors to Columbia University and the broader field of biomedical research and education. Their sustained commitment to these areas has set new standards for philanthropic support in academia.
Prior to this historic gift, the Vageloses had already made significant contributions to Columbia, including funding for the construction of the Vagelos Education Center and the creation of a scholarship initiative that sparked a nationwide movement to address affordability in medical education.
Professor Armstrong reflected on the impact of their philanthropy: “The legacy of Roy and Diana Vagelos at Columbia University and in the world of philanthropic support for biomedical research and education was already well established before the announcement of this historic gift. Their sustained commitment to education, scientific research, and human health, in general – and to Columbia, in particular – is simply unmatched.”
