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MU's Research Reaches Record Levels in 2006-07

Faculty conduct more than $191 million in externally sponsored research and related activities

Sept. 10, 2007

Story Contact:  Christian Basi, 573-882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. ­— It’s not going to be cheap to find the next alternative fuel source for cars or to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia receive generous grants each year from government agencies, private foundations and industries that support this environmentally friendly and life-saving research. Despite the highly competitive and under-funded support of national science research, MU has increased science research and related activity expenditures paid for by sources outside the university by 8.4 percent from the 2006 fiscal year to the 2007 fiscal year — reaching record levels for the University.

“These results truly speak to the excellence of our faculty,” said Jim Coleman, vice chancellor for research.  “Our faculty shares a common passion for discovery, creativity and innovation that generates the support of federal agencies. We have come a long way in 10 years, but we know that we still have a lot of work to do.”

Last year, MU scientists spent more than $191 million on research and related projects. Both undergraduate and graduate students have made significant contributions to research projects undertaken by MU faculty. Some projects are undertaken by students alone and give MU students a chance to present their own research at national conferences.

Federal agencies that sponsored research at MU last year included the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. Based on the latest comparative data available, MU’s growth in federal research funds was the second highest of all 60 of the U.S. institutions in the Association of American Universities. MU was behind only Vanderbilt.

Some examples of recent awards and research projects on the MU campus include: 

  • $10 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to study national defense related research with nanoparticles.
  • $6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue studies on Alzheimer’s disease.
  • $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help teach young parents skills that make relationships healthy.
  • $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation that aims to help crops develop resistance to virus and herbicides.
  • $880,000 grant from U.S. Department of Energy to study low-pressure hydrogen storage as an alternative fuel source in cars.