University at Albany Research Grants Total Record $391.7 Million in '07-08

University at Albany Research Grants Total Record $391.7 Million in '07-08. UAlbany 15th in research expenditures among universities without a medical school.

University of Albany faculty attracted a record $391.7 million in research awards in 2007-08, an increase of 39 percent from the previous year.
"The University at Albany has developed into one of the nation’s leading public research universities," said Interim President George M. Philip. "This substantial growth reflects the breadth and global impact of UAlbany research and scholarship."

"The steady expansion of UAlbany research is an indication of the core strength of programs in nanosciences, life sciences, social sciences, and public policy," said Vice President for Research Lynn Videka.

Research expenditures are tracked by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and indicate the previous year's research awards. A recent NSF report found that in 2006-07 UAlbany ranked 59th among all universities in research expenditures, and 15th nationally among universities without a medical school. "This is especially positive news in the face of a nationwide decline in federal funding of academic science and engineering research," said Videka.

The nanosciences attract 56 percent of Research Foundation (RF) awards to the university. The Research Foundation helps SUNY acquire, administer, and manage external funds to advance research and education, and transfer technology from campuses to the marketplace.

The School of Public Health's partnership with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) has helped the school maintain steady growth in research funding for UAlbany over the past decade.

"We are very fortunate to have world-class life sciences researchers as part of the University's research productivity," Videka said. Awards for life scientists at the DOH's Wadsworth Center make up roughly a third of UAlbany's total.

The number of applications for patents filed by UAlbany researchers also grew, from 15 in 2006-07 to 22 in 2007-08, another sign of research progress. As a Carnegie-recognized Research Extensive university, UAlbany is in the top tier of research universities in the nation.

Contact(s): Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150