Ohio State research expenditures set new record at $1.449 billion

​The Ohio State University’s annual research and development expenditures set a new university record of $1.449 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2023. The new number represents a 6% increase over FY22 expenditures of $1.36 billion.

The Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, in partnership with the university’s colleges, tracks annual research and development funding. The numbers measure the resources available to perform cutting-edge science and creative expression research.

“Ohio State’s research community is deservedly recognized as among the best, and this record-breaking funding total highlights the university’s significant impact on our state and the world,” said President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. “The research conducted on our campuses changes lives for the better and is a critical part of Ohio State’s mission as a land-grant university to deliver discoveries the world needs now.” 

The analysis is part of the university’s submission to the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey. Ohio State ranked 11th among all universities in research expenditures in the most recent survey rankings, up one spot from the previous year. The university remained at 7th among public universities.

The university ranked just behind Duke and Stanford and ahead of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Harvard.

“These numbers illustrate the incredible scientific talent and creativity at Ohio State. From foundational work in materials and physics to space exploration, artificial intelligence and breakthrough therapeutics that improve lives, Ohio State is leading the way in science with impact,” said Peter Mohler, executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge.

Federal expenditures totaled $694.7 million in FY23, an increase of 9% from FY22. University research saw growth across the portfolio of federal agencies. This includes:

• National Institutes of Health (14% increase)
• National Science of Foundation (11% increase)
• Department of Defense (25% increase)
• Department of Energy (10% increase)

Industry expenditures totaled $155.2 million in FY23, up 9% from FY22. State-sponsored research expenditures totaled $61.9 million in FY23.

Growth in research expenditures is spread across the university, with eight of 15 colleges seeing 10% increases or more year-over-year: Business, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Optometry, Public Health and Veterinary Medicine.

Story originally posted on Ohio State News.