Iowa State breaks research funding record year after leaving AAU

IOWA CITY — Both of Iowa’s public research universities in the budget year that just ended generated hundreds of millions in external funding to support experiments and projects across their respective campuses — although neither brought in totals as much as last year’s record-setting levels.

The University of Iowa secured $704.1 million in fiscal 2023, which ended June 30, a 19-percent drop from last year’s $867 million — which was boosted, in part, by federal stimulus and COVID-19 aid. UI external funding connected specifically to research reached $561.3 million in fiscal 2023, down 14 percent from last year’s $654.4 million.

Although Iowa State University in fiscal 2023 reported a 12-percent drop in total external funding — from $601.7 to $530.5 million — its research-specific funding set a new record at $301.3 million. That bested ISU’S previous research-funding record of $284.2 million by 6 percent.

“The record-setting investments in Iowa State research in fiscal year 2023 by both federal agencies and non-federal sources reinforce the university’s continuing progress in achieving its aspiration to be the trusted partner for proactive and innovative solutions,” ISU Vice President for Research Peter Dorhout said in a statement.

'Renowned research university’

ISU’s new research record comes a year after the university abruptly resigned from the prestigious Association of American Universities — an invitation-only organization with a membership of 69 top North American institutions known for generating “innovation, scholarship, and solutions that contribute to scientific progress, economic development, security, and well-being.”

With ISU’s departure, the UI stands as Iowa’s only AAU member — having joined in 1909, followed nearly 50 years later by ISU in 1958. Upon leaving, ISU administrators accused the AAU of favoring institutions with medical schools capable of garnering more medical research funding.

“Iowa State remains notable in several important areas not prioritized by the AAU, such as affordability, student engagement, student retention, post-graduation employment, first-generation students and accessibility,” according to the ISU announcement that included a statement from President Wendy Wintersteen.

“Iowa State has always been and will continue to be a renowned research university,” she said.

The university’s research funding record in 2023 included highs for both federal research funding, at $206.9 million, and non-federal research funding, at $94.4 million.

Funding from agencies like the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services and National Institutes of Health supported a range of ISU research — like its efforts to develop early warning signs of risks to swine health or to make Iowa a leader in advanced biomanufacturing.

Uptick in NASA funding

The UI, while down in some categories, saw its research funding specifically from federal sources increase nearly 17 percent — thanks, in part, to a “significant uptick” in NASA funding.

In total, UI researchers netted more than $363 million in federal research funding in fiscal 2023, topping last year’s $311 million. NASA funding exceeded $75 million in 2023, more than doubling the $35 million it got the year before.

“This level of federal funding, secured by Iowa faculty through a highly-competitive review process, is a robust indicator that the University of Iowa is a leading research institution,” UI Vice President for Research Marty Scholtz said in a statement, which noted federal research funding “is a key membership criterion for the Association of American Universities.”

External funding generally encompasses contracts, awards and agreements from federal, state and local governments, along with individuals, corporations and other universities in support of campuswide initiatives, research, academic support and scholarships. It also includes philanthropy.

“While external funding supports research operating expenses, it does not support operating expenses related to the university’s educational mission,” according to an ISU news release.

Regarding giving, the UI brought in $146 million in fiscal 2023, down 14 percent from last year’s $169 million. ISU reported a philanthropy total of $105.3 million for 2023, down 54 percent from the prior year’s $229.5 million total.

External funding has become increasingly important to the universities in recent years as state appropriations have fallen short of campus requests, compelling the institutions to place more of their budgetary burden on students in the form of tuition.

Although much of the external funding is tied to specific research, scholarships or facility projects — meaning the money can’t be used on general education expenses — it allows the universities to do top-tier work and offer top-tier amenities, making them competitive and attractive to the best and brightest faculty and students.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

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