Iowa State’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Consortium was formed in 2015 to coordinate university-wide efforts to address the grand challenge of AMR. This regional network of AMR scientists, researchers, educators and extension personnel from Iowa State; the University of Iowa; the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and two U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service teams. Together, this group aims to reduce antimicrobial resistance through unified and proven multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research teams; development of several large-scale, multi-disciplinary external research proposals; and creation of an industry-academic-government partnership focused on prevention, mitigation and management of antimicrobial resistance.

In 2018, the Antimicrobial Resistance Consortium was awarded a Presidential Interdisciplinary Research Initiative (PIRI) grant to deepen Iowa State’s research portfolio in strategic areas of antimicrobial resistance in order to increase the competitiveness of the teams for large-scale extramural funding programs.

In 2018, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges designated Iowa State University as the host university to a national institute addressing a global public health concern: antimicrobial resistance.

Each year in the U.S., at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections. Many more die from other conditions complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These drug-resistant “superbugs” also harm the ecosystem and cost multibillions annually in medical costs and economic losses.

The National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education is a member-based organization that addresses prioritized gaps in knowledge related to antimicrobial use, stewardship, and resistance. NIAMRRE's academic, industry, and affiliate members drive collaborative and integrative research, education, and engagement to solve AMR challenges and benefit society using a One Health approach.