Research Facts and Figures

About research funding reports

Income

Research funding comes from many sources. External funds come primarily from federal agencies, state agencies, industry, associations and foundations. Internal allocations from Intramural Research Grants Program (IRGP) and Strategic Partnership Grants (SPG). MSU Foundation funds, and indirect cost return also support research.

Because funds for conducting research are generally awarded in multi-year contracts or grants, the amount recorded as received each year may not reflect the research being done in that year. Proposals Submitted, 1995-2008 (PDF)

Gifts and Awards for Externally Sponsored Programs, 1996-2008 (PDF)

Outgo

Research expenditures - that is, the funds spent to conduct research - are the most frequently cited numbers for comparing research levels among colleges and universities. These numbers are gathered and grouped in several ways and must be used carefully when tracking changes from year to year or making comparisons among universities.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) surveys all recipients of federal funds annually, asking about their research expenditures from all funding sources. The chart below shows the data MSU has reported in that survey since 1998, when NSF began asking for expenditures for non-science and engineering projects as well as for science and engineering projects. The NSF numbers provide the most comprehensive listing of research expenditures and are the most consistent for comparisons with other institutions.

Total MSU R&D Expenditures Reported to NSF, 1998-2007 (PDF)

Advanced Degrees Awarded

Another important measure of a research university's success is its ability to produce the next generation of scholars and professional leaders in various fields.

Graduate and Professional Degrees Awarded at MSU, 1995-2008 (PDF)