University professors have acquired $56.9 million from more than 133 separate federal stimulus research grants since the program's inception.
The federal stimulus package, which was passed earlier this year, included $21.5 billion for research and development, much of which has been given to higher education institutions across the country.
Jeff Blank, assistant vice president for research, said grants at the University will fund a range of projects, from ovarian cancer research to the study of solar energy materials to inquiries into communications and the origins of meaning.
Assoc. Psychology Prof. Chad Dodson, who received $324,000 in stimulus funds from the National Science Foundation, said he will use his grant to continue basic memory research showing that older adults are more prone than their younger counterparts to commit memory errors.
The stimulus "made it a little easier to win federal grants, but this is just one sliver in time when it's easier," Dodson said.
Blank said in a given year, the University usually receives between $300-325 million from the federal government. This typical total has been bolstered this year with stimulus funding to help counteract the economic downturn's rippling effects.
"The stimulus has been tremendously important," Blank said. "Federal funding for research had plateaued in the last several years and it was becoming very difficult to get federal funding."
Blank also noted that stimulus money is not only significant in terms of dollar amounts but also because of the breadth of research it has funded. He added that funds have benefited several academic divisions of the University, including the College, Engineering and Education Schools.
Assoc. Medical Prof. Barbara Mann said she applied to the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases for a grant to study tularemia. Though the NIAID approved of her proposal, the institute did not have enough money to fund it at the time. After the stimulus package was passed, Mann said the NIAID went back to her proposal and gave her a $400,000 grant.
"I'm very grateful for the stimulus money and how it allows us to continue our research," Mann said.
Blank said the federal government currently provides for 65 percent of sponsored university research nationwide and that it "will be and needs to be the future engine of academic research."
Apart from government funding, higher education institutions also receive research funding from state legislators, foundations and industries. Less than 3 percent of the recent stimulus package - which totaled $787 billion - was allocated for research and development. $10.4 billion of these research funds - almost half of the amount - went to the National Institutes of Health, Blank said. The rest went to a variety of organizations, including the Department of Energy and several defense agencies.
In highlighting the importance of the increased funding, Blank emphasized that the stimulus package is meant only to offer short-term benefits.
"Two years from now, there is no expectation that more money is coming," he said.
Blank also noted that the stimulus grants were distributed through a peer-review system, and are not congressional earmarks. Several organizations, including the Association of American Universities, launched a Web site - www.scienceworksforus.org - to document exactly how research money has been distributed. Additionally, University students can see a complete list of stimulus grants and research projects on Grounds through the Office of Sponsored Programs Web site.
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