For Researchers

Unrivaled Access, Rapid Discovery. Conduct your Next Project at the Fair.

The University of Minnesota’s State Fair Research Building offers faculty, staff, and student investigators an unparalleled platform for recruitment and data collection. By providing direct access to the nearly two million fairgoers who attend each year, the facility enables researchers to gather high-quality data with exceptional efficiency.

Since the program’s inception in 2014, public awareness and participation have grown consistently. This momentum led to the construction of a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility in 2017, which now attracts over 50,000 visitors annually. With foot traffic and public engagement increasing every year, the building remains a vital bridge between University innovation and the Minnesota community.

Year	Total Studies	Building Foot Traffic	Participants Enrolled
2017	36	60,000	17,900
2018	57	60,000	21,162
2019	55	61,600	25,408
2020	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	35	36,600	10,879
2022	44	49,200	16,188
2023	47	55,000	17,260
2024	59	52,700	19,946
2025	56	55,700	24,691

Who Can Use the Facility?

The State Fair Research Building is an interdisciplinary hub open to faculty, staff, and students from across the University of Minnesota system. To ensure a safe and successful environment for all, the following guidelines apply:

Principal Investigators: The facility hosts research projects led by University of Minnesota faculty, staff and students. External collaborators are eligible to participate as part of a UMN-anchored research team.
Student-led Research: We highly encourage student-led studies. All UMN student investigators must have a UMN faculty advisor on the project team in order to to be eligible to apply.
Study Scope: The venue is designed for human-subjects research that meets minimal risk criteria.
IRB Compliance: All projects must have active IRB approval (or a formal determination of exemption) prior to recruiting or collecting data at the Fair.

Why Conduct Research at the State Fair?

The State Fair Research Building offers an unparalleled environment for rapid, large-scale data collection. From significantly accelerating your research timeline to instantly diversifying your participant pool, the benefits of this unique space are unmatched.

Unparalleled Efficiency & ROI

Rapid Recruitment: Depending on eligibility, teams can recruit dozens—or even hundreds—of participants in a single half-day shift.
Accelerated Timelines: Achieve in hours what typically takes weeks or months through traditional recruitment methods.
High Return on Investment: An ideal setting for gathering rapid pilot data, fueling student dissertations, or building robust recruitment registries.
Cross-Disciplinary Synergy: The building’s collaborative environment fosters "serendipitous" networking, allowing you to meet new collaborators and exchange ideas across diverse fields.

Public Engagement & Trust

Democratizing Science: At a time when public trust in research is more important than ever, the Fair provides a welcoming, familiar, and positive environment for people to engage with science firsthand.
An Interactive Showcase: Provide the public with a tangible look at the University’s impact, making UMN research visible and accessible to all Minnesotans.
Reciprocal Learning: Hear directly from voices across the state. Discuss your results, explain why your work matters, and listen to the opinions of the people your research serves.
Inclusive Discovery: Reach populations that may never come to a campus lab. We facilitate participation from a true cross-section of Minnesota: all ages, urban and rural residents, and diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds.

The "Great Minnesota Get-Together"

Beyond the data, there is the undeniable energy of the Fair itself. Where else can you advance global knowledge and then step outside to enjoy:

The giant Ferris wheel and live music.
The legendary llama costume contest.
Nightly fireworks and every food imaginable on a stick.

A Living Laboratory for Community Discovery

The State Fair Research Building is more than a facility; it is a vibrant space where University expertise meets Minnesota’s collective experience. We bring research out of the lab and into the community, creating a "living laboratory" that benefits both the scientist and the citizen.

The Power of Community-Placed Research

Meet People Where They Are: Our infrastructure removes the barriers of the traditional campus setting, making it easy for Minnesotans to contribute to science in a space where they already feel at home.
Hands-on Discovery: We provide interactive, educational opportunities for fairgoers of all ages—inspiring the next generation of scientists through direct participation.
Eager & Diverse Participants: Every day, we see thousands of visitors who are genuinely excited to learn, volunteer, and share their unique perspectives to help solve real-world problems.
Bridging the Gap: By hosting research in a friendly, high-energy setting, we demystify the scientific process and build lasting connections between the University and the public.
Real-Time Insight: Researchers gain immediate, real-time feedback from a broad audience, ensuring their work remains grounded in the needs and experiences of the community.

Facility, Resources & Support

The State Fair Research Program operates as a turn-key Internal Service Organization (ISO). We handle the logistics of the Great Minnesota Get-Together so you can focus entirely on your science.

Investment & ROI

We provide an incredibly low cost-per-subject recruitment model. Fees support program staffing, State Fair licensing, admission tickets, rentals, and equipment.

2026 Shift Fee: $800 per half-day shift (5–6.5 hours).
Proven Results: In 2025, studies involving adult participants averaged 144 subjects per shift, bringing the average recruitment cost to just $8.43 per participant.
Grant Support: Our team can provide a formal Letter of Support and a Facilities Description for your grant proposals.
- Download Facilities Description for Grants

The Research Environment

Our 2,500-square-foot facility is specifically designed for high-volume, minimal-risk human subjects research.

The Layout: Up to ten studies run simultaneously in semi-private, curtain-partitioned bays (approx. 10’ x 12’).
Facility Features: The building features excellent natural and overhead lighting, sealed concrete floors, overhead fans, and operable windows.
Connectivity: Secure UMN eduroam high-speed wireless and hardwired internet are provided.
Storage: On-site supply storage is available, including refrigerator and freezer space for sample storage.
Shift Times: Research is conducted in two blocks:
- Morning: 9:00am – 2:00pm
- Evening: 2:30pm – 9:00pm
Important Note: The building is not air-conditioned. Restrooms are located directly across the street, and a potable water tap is available at the exterior of the building.

Turn-Key Research Services

We provide the infrastructure, you provide the team. Our support includes:

Strategic Consultation: Guidance on space design, staffing plans, and recruitment maximization.
Regulatory Support: Best-practice training for the Fair environment and guidance through the IRB approval process.
Logistics & Compliance: Management of State Fair rules, transportation guidance, and vendor connections for incentives.
Marketing & Outreach: Broad promotion of the program via University channels, State Fair promotions, and local outlets.
Supplies & Gear: We provide essential furnishings, office supplies, anthropometric equipment, and more. Tablet computers configured to consent forms and questionnaires.

Application & Planning

To ensure a successful cohort, we follow a rigorous planning timeline:

Applications Open: Early November.
Applications Deadline: Mid-January.
Final Cohort Confirmed: Mid-March.
View the Fair Season Calendar

Stay Informed: Click here to join our mailing list for updates on the upcoming Request for Applications (RFA).

Research Ethics & Best Practices

Conducting research in a public, high-traffic environment requires a unique balance of efficiency and ethical rigor. All teams operating within the State Fair Research Building must adhere to the highest standards of research ethics and University policy.

IRB Requirements

All research conducted at our facility must meet University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements.

Responsibility: Research teams are responsible for securing formal IRB approval or a determination of exemption before any recruitment or data collection begins.
Documentation: Active IRB documentation must be on file with our team prior to the first day of the Fair.

Ethical Conduct in a Public Setting

While the ethical standards for research remain constant across the University, the public nature of the State Fair requires specific operational considerations. To ensure the integrity of the research process in this unique venue, teams focus on:

Clear Informed Consent: In a fast-paced environment, researchers must ensure participants have the opportunity to fully understand the study’s purpose and data usage.
Voluntary Participation: Engagement remains entirely voluntary; teams must ensure that the high-energy atmosphere of the Fair never compromises a participant’s right to decline or withdraw without pressure.
Privacy in Open Spaces: Even within a shared "living laboratory," teams utilize partitioned bays and specialized protocols to maintain appropriate participant privacy and data confidentiality.
Professional Representation: As a highly visible arm of the University, staff are expected to model the UMN commitment to research excellence in every public interaction.

Best Practices for Engagement

To maintain the program’s reputation for excellence, we expect all teams to follow these public-environment guidelines:

Accessible Consent: Use consent processes that are clear, concise, and appropriate for a fast-paced setting. Utilize "plain language" in your consent forms and ensure your research space is physically accessible to everyone, regardless of mobility or age.
Participant-Centric Design: Respect participants’ time and physical comfort (e.g., keeping study duration reasonable for a fair environment).
Professional Standards: All CITI-certified research staff are expected to engage with the public with the highest level of professionalism and respect.
For more tips on engagement, review the Best Practice Guidelines for Recruitment & Consent.

Support & Oversight

Our team works as a partner to research groups, ensuring that every study is ethical, compliant, and participant-centered. While we do not replace the formal IRB review process, we provide specialized expertise in adapting traditional research protocols for a high-traffic, public environment.

Navigating the Process

We help investigators bridge the gap between the lab and the Fair by:

Consulting on consent approaches and study flow tailored to the State Fair setting.
Advising on logistical considerations that impact participant privacy and comfort.
Upholding the University’s commitment to responsible, publicly engaged scholarship.

Essential IRB Resources

Investigators are responsible for securing all necessary approvals. Use the links below to ensure your project meets University standards:

UMN IRB Main Page – Overview of human subjects protections and review processes.
Templates & Forms – Access protocol and consent templates for your submission.
Required Training (CITI) – Information on mandatory human subjects research education.
HRPP & Participant Protections – Detailed policies from the Human Research Protection Program.

A Note on Responsibility: Our staff is here to guide you through the logistical and ethical nuances of the Fair, but final IRB approval remains the sole responsibility of the Lead Investigator.

Aug 27 - Labor Day, Sept 7, 2026

Conduct Research at the State Fair

State Fair Research Building