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Bold Ideas.
Big Impact

Van Andel Institute began with a vision: improve human health through biomedical research and science education. We do more than dream about it, we strive to make it a reality every day.

ABOUT VAI

Van Andel Institute engages the world’s brightest minds and advances the boldest ideas in pursuit of the biggest breakthroughs for humanity.

Latest From VAI

RESEARCH, EDUCATE, INSPIRE

Every day, we collaborate at the forefront of fundamental and translational science in pursuit of breakthrough treatment strategies for cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases. We believe that hope for tomorrow lives in the students of today. Our Graduate School offers a rigorous research-intensive Ph.D. program that develops leaders in molecular and cellular biology. Our inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education help create classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive.

Research

How do you arrive at revolutionary treatments and breakthroughs? By unleashing a global coalition of brilliant scientific minds, fostering an entrepreneurial, collaborative process — and doing a world of good.

Graduate School

Van Andel Institute Graduate School develops scientists to be tomorrow’s biomedical research leaders through an intense, problem-focused Ph.D. degree in molecular and cell biology.

K-12 Education

We create classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive.

Our People

How do we move closer each day to improving health and enhancing lives? By bringing together hard-working scientists, educators, staff and students and providing the resources and support necessary for them to succeed.

Donor Stories

Each of our dedicated supporters has a story for why they give: a mother diagnosed with breast cancer, a brother living with Parkinson’s, a lifelong passion for educating children, or something else entirely. We are honored to share them all.

Featured Events

Dec. 17, 2024

Philanthropic EventsSignature Events

2025 Around the World

Feb. 26, 2025

Philanthropic EventsSignature Events

3rd Annual VAI Pickleball Open

Oct. 22, 2024

Purple Community

MINI on the Mack 2025

Recent Press

Using viral mimicry to help the immune system see — and fight — cancer

A lifelong focus on discovery and curiosity

Cellular mix-ups can set the stage for kidney disease

Explainer: What is the endolysosomal pathway?

Explainer: What is alpha-synuclein?

Our Impact

We're raising thousands to save millions

We’re turning hope into action for the millions of people around the world affected by diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. Find out how you can help us make a difference.

122

peer-reviewed papers published in 2024, 63 of which were in high-impact journals

15

VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team clinical trials launched to date

10

clinical trials co-funded by VAI & Cure Parkinson’s (out of 41 total International Linked Clinical Trials Program trials)