Notre Dame and Under Armour Form Groundbreaking Partnership for Research Innovations

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame and Under Armour have launched a historic partnership focused on joint research initiatives. Over the next decade, the two organizations will co-invest in projects that span multiple academic disciplines, allowing Notre Dame faculty and students to collaborate with Under Armour staff.

“Notre Dame and Under Armour already have a long-standing partnership focused on driving excellence on the playing field and shaping elite student-athletes,” said the John and Catherine Martin Family Vice President for Research. “We are thrilled by this evolution in our relationship, which will similarly drive excellence in the research lab and shape the next generation of elite innovators.”

The collaboration will concentrate on materials and environmental science, investigating recyclable and biodegradable fabrics, the environmental impact of garment degradation, and developing novel polymer materials. Additionally, student-athlete health and performance testing will evaluate Under Armour’s prototypes, tailoring them to the specific needs of Notre Dame athletes.

“Partnering with Under Armour will add a new dimension of industry expertise that elevates our efforts to bring innovations from the lab to the playing field,” added the vice president.

Under Armour will also collaborate with Notre Dame on computational modeling to improve performance insights and product development. “At Under Armour, innovation is hardwired into everything we do,” said Kyle Blakely, Senior Vice President of Innovation. “This partnership combines Under Armour’s product expertise with Notre Dame’s research, offering sustainable solutions for athletes.”

The partnership also presents opportunities for student internships and research experiences, strengthening ties between Notre Dame Research and Notre Dame Athletics. This collaboration aims to produce impactful research benefiting both institutions.