Ua20 — Roll Tide. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

The University of Alabama has accomplished a record-breaking year in 2022 with its outside support of research, sponsored activity and instructional efforts more than doubling over the past four years. Read on for more details.

Another record-breaking year

The University of Alabama is no stranger to smashing records, and for the ninth straight fiscal year, sponsored awards in 2022 were at an all-time high. This year, awards increased 23.6% to $211.4 million from 840 sponsored awards. Sponsored awards include all competitive external funding for research, instruction, other sponsored activity, fellowships and construction.

This incredible achievement shows consistent growth from the University, clearing a five-year goal set by the UA Office for Research and Economic Development ahead of schedule, according to its strategic plan.

“The incredible momentum at The University of Alabama for research, economic development and outreach activities enhances our mission as the flagship institution in the state. Sponsored projects improve instruction and elevate the learning experience of our students while serving society through the discovery of novel solutions to our most challenging problems, which in turn creates a more knowledgeable and skilled workforce.”
Stuart R. Bell, President, UA

Uplifting research efforts

Fiscal year 2022, which ended in September, was also a record-breaking year for sponsored awards directly supporting research at the University. External grants and contracts contributing to cutting-edge research and influential scholarship topped $125.8 million, an increase of 23.9% from last year.

Sponsored awards from the federal government also reached unprecedented levels in the 2022 fiscal year. A record 522 of the 840 total awards to UA were from the federal government and brought $159.5 million to campus, a 52.1% increase from 2021.

“Surpassing our goal of doubling the University’s research enterprise in four years is a remarkable testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and students. Achieving this milestone would also not have been possible without the support of The University of Alabama System and Board of Trustees, as well as our congressional and state legislative delegations.”
Dr. Russell J. Mumper, Vice President for research and economic development, UA

The record in sponsored awards coincides with a historic number of UA faculty engaged in externally funded research along with major increases in research and development partnerships with industry.

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