Setting records

A record high in annual research expenditures at the University of Michigan led to innovative research and scholarship endeavors that address emerging problems, spur new technologies, and drive the economy.

U-M, which has ranked No. 1 in research volume among the nation’s public universities for nine consecutive years, reported $1.62 billion in research expenditures during fiscal year 2019. That marks a 4.8 percent increase from FY18.

“Numbers like this are important in order to comprehend the vast amount of research and scholarship catalyzed by the University of Michigan, but even more important is our collective focus on how that funding benefits society as a whole,” says Rebecca Cunningham, U-M interim vice president for research.

“With continuous support from our internal and external partners, the University is well prepared to meet the challenges we face in a world of rapid change, and to continue our contributions to the public good.”

Partnerships

The federal government continues to play a critical role in U-M research endeavors, supporting 54 percent of the University’s research volume during FY19. Federal research expenditures last year totaled $888 million, which led to advancements in fields ranging from Great Lakes sustainability and driverless vehicle technologies to opioid overdose and chronic disease prevention.

The National Institutes of Health remains the largest external sponsor of U-M research, and during FY19, the University conducted $572 million in research under contract with the federal agency. U-M also totaled $84 million in research expenditures last year from the Department of Defense, some of which funded a collaborative project with the U.S. Army to explore autonomous technologies for military ground vehicles.

Support from industry increased by 9 percent during FY19, as the University reported a record $118 million in total research expenditures from industry sources. Funding from industry advances a number of research projects, including an ongoing study in which Apple is partnering with U-M researchers to gather data on hearing that can provide insight on how sound levels may impact hearing health, stress levels, and cardiovascular health.

U-M also continues to invest in its research enterprise, as internally funded research increased by 4.8 percent to $549 million during FY19. Institutional investment spurs the development of new multidisciplinary research initiatives, aids in faculty retention efforts, and funds infrastructure projects such as laboratory renovations.

Research investment also translates into the creation of new products and services, and during FY19, U-M reported a record number of 502 new inventions and a record number of 22 startups. Those startups, many of which operate in southeast Michigan, span sectors ranging from computer hardware and therapeutics to medical devices and materials science.

Ripple effect

Ongoing research investment at U-M also has a positive ripple effect on the economy that drives global competitiveness and spurs new jobs. Between 2002-17, U-M contributed $4.77 billion to the national economy through vendor contracts and subcontracts, according to the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science.

“The University of Michigan’s ongoing leadership in research productivity contributes to our standing as the nation’s premiere public research university,” says U-M President Mark Schlissel. “U-M’s research and scholarship benefit all communities in Michigan and beyond through the creation of new knowledge and technologies that transform how we live, work, learn and grow.”