ISU 2010 external funding sets record

AMES -- Iowa State University attracted a record $388.2 million in grants, contracts, gifts and cooperative agreements in fiscal year 2010, ISU officials announced today.

That's an increase of $83 million and 27 percent over the previous record in fiscal year 2009.

This funding, called external 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 federal stimulus money.

ISU'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,” President Gregory Geoffroy said in a statement.

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

ISU'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 faculty and scientific staff.