The University of Washington, consistently among the top universities in the amount of research money it secures, received $510 million in research grants during 1996-97, passing the half-billion-dollar milestone for the first time.
Money from federal agencies, corporations, foundations and other entities pays for such things as research, public service projects and student training at the UW. It is over and above money the state provides for teaching and basic operations.
For many of the UW’s 7,800 graduate students, research funds underwrite projects for master’s and doctoral degrees. The money also provides more than a quarter of these students with tuition, salary and benefits.
The funding also makes it possible for undergraduates to do investigative studies alongside faculty, work in labs, go on research expeditions and work in the community.
In terms of research dollars, the UW ranks among the nation’s top institutions receiving federal funding. In 1995, the most recent year for which government figures are available, the UW ranked first among public universities and second among all universities. The UW has claimed the number one spot among public institutions every year since 1974.
Competition for grants and contracts is keen, says Alvin Kwiram, UW vice provost for research. “The large dollar volume of such awards—and the University’s national ranking based on such awards—is a tribute to the hard work and high caliber of the UW faculty, students and staff,” he says.
The level of grant and contract funding received by the University doubled in the past 10 years, from $253 million in 1986-87 to $510 million in 1996-97. Federal agencies continue to foot the bill for most of the awards received, about 78 percent.
Awards from industry increased by 15 percent. The UW ranks third in the nation in industrial funding of research activities.