Iowa State's external funding hits record $388.2 million in fiscal year 2010

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State University attracted a record $388.2 million in grants, contracts, gifts and cooperative agreements during fiscal year 2010, an increase of $83 million and 27 percent over last year's record.

This funding is in addition to the fiscal year 2010 state appropriation of $231 million for the university's day-to-day operations. Of the $388.2 million in external funding, $21.1 million was the result of competitive awards from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Iowa State's previous record for external funding was $305.2 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2009.

"A second straight record in external support is truly an indication of the great work of Iowa State University's faculty, staff and students," said Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy. "This demonstrates that Iowa State has outstanding people who can successfully compete for the funds that support world-class research and scholarship. This success also demonstrates the exceptional capabilities of Iowa State for the transformational research and creativity that is required to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

The external funding supports research across campus as well as educational projects, student financial aid, buildings, equipment and extension activities. It comes directly to Iowa State from federal, state and local government sources as well as from corporations, foundations and other universities.

Iowa State's largest single source of external funding is the U.S. Department of Energy. Iowa State attracted $59.3 million from the energy department this past fiscal year. The second highest source was the U.S. Department of Agriculture at $51.9 million. The third highest was the National Science Foundation at $46.8 million.

Of the $388.2 million total, $239.2 million was directed to research projects based on proposals submitted by Iowa State faculty and scientific staff.

"The significant increase in external funding this year is reflective of quality faculty, staff, and students and the competitiveness of their programs," said Sharron Quisenberry, Iowa State's vice president for research and economic development. "The research enterprise is extremely important to the university's future success, and faculty, staff, and students are key to our ability to grow research programs that are competitive for extramural funding."

Sources

Grand Total $388,187,591