Survey ranks Penn State ninth in federal research R&D

(PhysOrg.com) -- Penn State ranked ninth among the nation's public universities in receiving federal research and development funds in fiscal 2008, according to a recent survey by the National Science Foundation.

Penn State was awarded $405.5 million, compared to about $375 million in fiscal 2007, when it ranked 11th among the nation's public universities. The figures include all Penn State locations.

The foundation's survey also disclosed that Penn State along with another public institution, the University of Pittsburgh, and the private University of Pennsylvania, combined to bring about $1.34 billion in federal research and development funds to the Commonwealth.

"Those funds are a recognition of the vital role played by research universities in Pennsylvania, and represent an important flow of taxpayers' dollars back to our state," said Eva J. Pell, Penn State senior vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. "Federal funds help to create jobs now and in the long-term because our economy is increasingly knowledge-driven.

"Penn State's high national ranking is evidence that the University is an extremely valuable strategic asset to Pennsylvania's economic future."

Federal funds support a broad array of programs at Penn State, including initiatives in such diverse areas as renewable energy, cybersecurity, health and medicine, plant disease, the natural environment, and materials science and engineering. To learn more about research at Penn State, visit www.rps.psu.edu

Provided by Penn State