URI Reports $43 Million in Research Awards for 1997-98

KINGSTON, R.I. -- January 27, 1999 -- The University of Rhode Island Research Office reports that total awards received for 1997-98 were $43,843,519. In addition, the University received $2,816,954 in Land Grant funds and $5,166,599 in research-related awards from private sources, for a total of $51,827,072.

The $43.8 million in research grants for 1997-98 represents an increase of $1.2 million from 1996-97 and a $11.5 million increase from 1995-96.

To achieve this high level of funding, the URI Research Office, under the direction of Thomas J. Rockett, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, Research and Outreach, worked with faculty and staff to submit nearly 600 proposals, with approximately 450 receiving funding. Awards to the Graduate School of Oceanography represented 44 percent of the total awards to the University.

"These results reflect the extraordinary effort and accomplishments made by many University faculty and staff," said Rockett. "Sponsored research keeps the faculty on the cutting edge of knowledge, provides tremendous educational opportunities for students, and has a positive impact on the overall Rhode Island economy. But beyond the economic impact, through their top notch research, the University faculty also represent the State of Rhode Island throughout the nation and the world."

Awards from federal agencies represented 84 percent of the research grants funded during the year, and more than half the total awards came from the US Depts. of Health and Human Services, Commerce, and the National Science Foundation. Other federal funding sources included the Agency for International Development, the Air Force, the Army, NASA, the Navy, the Environmental

Protection Agency, and the Depts. of Education, Interior, and Agriculture. The State of Rhode Island awarded $4.3 million to the University for research and training.

For more information about the University's research efforts, contact Thomas Rockett at (401) 874-4576.