I am trying to install a universal remote receiver to my ceiling fan. I have white, black wires on the receiver but on the ceiling wiring I have black white and a red wire. Where does the red wire connect?

I have a red wire in the ceiling that I do not know what to connect to on the transmitter/receiver

You probably have 2 switches on the wall, 1 to the fan and 1 to the light. Find out what one runs the fan and connect EITHER THE BLACK OR RED to the black remote wire. The white neutral from the power side goes to the white on the remote. The other wire is not used. Put a wire nut on and some electrical tape and push it back in the ceiling box. You can turn off the unused switch. The remote will work the fan and light. If you have a single switch, they probably pigtailed the fan and light together. Separate them and see if they are both hot. If so, connect either to the black on the remote, wire nut and tape the other and push it back into the ceiling box.

It could be from a second switch, a 3 way. Are there two different wall switches in or near the room? If so connect with the black coming into the box after you confirm it's a 3 way

What was there before, and how was it wired?

You PROBABLY just cap off the red wire.

Ceiling Fan Wiring, Ceiling Fan Wiring Technical Help, Do it Yourself (DIY) - Ceiling Fans N More