RIT surpasses $102 million in research funding for a single fiscal year

Rochester Institute of Technology achieved a significant milestone by receiving $102 million in sponsored research awards during its past fiscal year, surpassing a key goal in its strategic plan a year ahead of schedule.

This achievement marks a nearly 100 percent growth in sponsored research awards since 2014 when the strategic plan was created, underscoring RIT’s emergence as a nationally recognized research university, said Ryne Raffaelle, RIT’s vice president for Research.

“Ten years ago, RIT set a priority in its strategic plan to achieve $100 million in obligated research awards within a single fiscal year,” said Raffaelle. “When the plan was drafted, this milestone was seen as a stretch goal. Achieving it a full year ahead of schedule is a testament to the excellence of our faculty, staff, and students engaged in research at RIT.”

The FY24 total includes significant growth in competitive awards from federal sources. RIT received record funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) ($20 million), the National Institutes of Health ($10 million), and the Department of Defense (DOD) ($23 million). These awards support a diverse range of projects, from quantum communication and expanding lithium battery manufacturing to controlling microplastics pollution in the Great Lakes watershed and modeling supermassive black holes.

A significant portion of the funding is dedicated to workforce development and enhancing skills for future professionals across a wide range of STEM careers, from technicians to Ph.D.’s.  RIT received numerous new awards from the NSF and other federal agencies to develop new curricula, undergraduate and graduate training initiatives, and graduate research fellowships.

As an example, RIT received a prestigious NSF National Research Traineeship (NRT) award which supports interdisciplinary education related to artificial intelligence. Additionally, RIT received a second NSF NRT award focused on developing graduate-level interdisciplinary training in Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology, essential for designing and building computer chips. The training programs complement ongoing support from the DOD and the NSF, aimed at recruiting and training the next generation of cybersecurity experts at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Increasing sponsored research awards also empowers RIT to significantly contribute to U.S. competitiveness and address global challenges.

“These STEM training awards demonstrate the caliber of our faculty and the need for the degree programs we offer. We are proud that RIT is recognized by federal agencies as an important asset in training the workforce of the future,” said Raffaelle. “Expanding our research portfolio underscores our dedication to addressing critical issues affecting our community, state, country, and the world. This surge in research activity also creates more opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in experiential learning with leading faculty members, equipping our graduates for future careers.”

RIT is in the process of developing its next strategic plan, carefully considering its future research aspirations, including setting ambitious goals for continued research growth and an increase in advanced degrees conferred.