KNOXVILLE — Research funding at the University of Tennessee set an all-time record this year, led by increases at the university’s Institute of Agriculture, Health Science Center and Space Institute, officials announced today at the UT Board of Trustees’ fall meeting.
System wide, UT brought in $307.9 million in grants for fiscal year 2006, up from last year’s total of $285.1 million, marking the second consecutive record-breaking total.
Leading the way in total awards were the Knoxville campus with $126.7 million; UT Health Science Center with $105.2 million; Institute of Agriculture with $39.3 million; the Chattanooga campus with $13.4 million; Institute for Public Service with $9.5 million, the Martin campus with $6.89 million and the UT Space Institute with $6.69 million.
Largest increases occurred at the UT Space Institute (UTSI) in Tullahoma, which saw an increase of 158 percent; UT’s Institute of Agriculture with a 28.9 percent increase and the UT Health Science Center totals were up 14.4 percent.
“These numbers clearly reflect a strong upward trend,” said David Millhorn, UT vice president for research and economic development. “These research dollars translate into new knowledge that makes life better for all Tennesseans.”
The totals, to be published in an upcoming annual research report, include monies committed to the university for programs in research, instruction and public service.
Slightly more than half — 53 percent — of this year’s funding came from federal sources, while 27 percent came from the state. Other research dollars came from the private sector, as well as local governments and other sources.
Millhorn said that while the university is reimbursed for costs associated with the projects, it receives no profit.
The University of Tennessee System comprises three accredited institutions: UT Chattanooga, UT Martin, and the University of Tennessee, which includes the main campus in Knoxville, the statewide institutes of Agriculture and Public Service headquartered in Knoxville, the Health Science Center in Memphis, and the Space Institute in Tullahoma.
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Contacts:
David Millhorn, vice president for research and economic development (865-974-8913)
Karen Collins (865-974-5186 or 865-216-6862)