Shoshana Mayden

email address: smayden@ag.arizona.edu

The Arizona Daily Star
December 4, 1992

UA climbs in rankings on research spending

The UA ranked 18th among the nation's universities in research and development spending during 1990-91, rising one notch from the previous year.

The University of Arizona spent $213.7 million, falling just behind Harvard University in the annual rankings compiled by the National Science Foundation. UA's research expenditures rose 9 percent over figures from the 1989-90 fiscal year.

Johns Hopkins University remained in first place, spending $710 million. Rounding out the top three were the University of Michigan, $363.6 million, and the University of Minnesota, $331.5 million.

Among public universities, the UA climbed one notch to 13th place. The university ranked fifth among Pacific 10 Conference schools, according to the UA Office of Public Information.

"Our goal in the next 10 years is to be in the top 10 publics," said Martha Gilliland, UA assistant vice president for research.

Arizona State University remained among the top 100 research universities, but fell from 94th to 96th place. The school spent $63.5 million, a 6 percent increase.

Nearly half of the research dollars spent at the UA came from the federal government, according to National Science Foundation figures. UA institutional funds accounted for 37 percent, private gifts and other sources 7 percent, industry funds 6 percent, and state and local government 3 percent.

Grants totaled $248.9 million at the UA during 1990-91. The College of Medicine and Faculty of Science generated the most research dollars, drawing more than $60 million each.

Gilliland said she is pleased with the climb in ranking during a time when research funding has stagnated.

"This is a direct reflection of the quality of our faculty," she said.

The figures for 1991-92 fiscal year will be positive as well, Gilliland said. The UA may be more poised for success than some other universities because the UA does not heavily depend on Department of Defense contracts, she said.