Research funding surpasses $92 million for the first time

Increases in collaborative projects and inclusion in statewide and national economic development initiatives combined for another record year of sponsored research funding at RIT.

The university surpassed $92 million in research funds for individual and multi-disciplinary proposals—from developing novel, cutting-edge technologies to contributing to economic growth regionally and nationally.

Since fiscal year 2017, the amount had regularly hovered between $75 million to $80 million.

“With federal funding, stimulus packages which are still being distributed, and even with the new Innovation Bill, there is an increase in money being distributed to federal agencies that fund research. Much of it is being directed toward universities and organizations emphasizing collaborations and economic development, all toward competitiveness of the U.S.,” said Ryne Raffaelle, RIT vice president for Research and associate provost.

Funding came from federal, state, corporate, and foundation resources and support many of RIT’s key research areas, such as nanotechnology, imaging science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

Many of these awards were funded through national agencies, such as the National Science Foundation ($13.5 million), the Department of Defense ($8.6 million), National Institutes of Health ($6.7 million), and both NASA and the Department of Energy ($2.5 million each).

Research centers that RIT had established over the past several years positioned the university to react quickly to national funding opportunities, Raffaelle said.

A new record also was set for the value of proposals submitted —$265 million.

This story is part of the 2023 President’s Annual Report. Read more stories from the report.