After four consecutive years of growth, research funding for The University of Akron has reached another record high. In fiscal year 2007-08, UA received more than $34.2 million in research funding for 503 projects. These funds represent a 4.4 percent increase from the previous fiscal year's record-breaking allocation of $32.8 million, which funded 459 projects.
Funding supports research conducted by University of Akron faculty representing all academic disciplines. Students also participate in research, working one-on-one with world-renowned faculty. Participating in research prepares students for some of the best jobs in the country or to transfer to other top graduate schools.
For fiscal year 2007-08, the funding included:
- more than $7.5 million to arts and sciences,
- more than $7.3 million to education,
- $5 million toward polymer science and polymer engineering, and
- more than $8.3 million to engineering, among other allocations.
Research benefits students and the region
Funding enables research such as that on water separation and liquid fuels, conducted by chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Dr. George G. Chase. Smaller-scale funded projects, such as Explore Robotics, enrich local students in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
"These are just two examples of the significant work UA researchers are able to pursue, despite recent economic challenges," says Dr. George Newkome, UA's vice president for research and president of the University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF). "The foresight and endeavors of these researchers underscore their commitment to the advancement of our campus community and the entire region.
"Another important figure of note is that more than half of the university's research funding — $17.5 million — came from federal sources, including nearly $6 million in biomedical funding," Newkome adds. "This growing federal funding truly demonstrates the recognition and significance of University of Akron research."
The University of Akron Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting The University of Akron. UARF bridges gaps between industry and the university, facilitating the transfer of technology to private companies. The foundation also provides intellectual property, commercialization and enterprise creation support to UA faculty, staff and students, as well as to entrepreneurs, innovators and business owners. It has created 28 companies and supports research throughout the university and region. For more information, visit www.uakron.edu/research/uarf/.