U of A projects research expenditures surpassed $1B for FY 2024, joining a select group of US research institutions

Retrieving the largest asteroid sample ever brought to Earth, advancing a vaccine for Valley fever to human clinical trial – the world's first against fungal infection to reach this stage – and mitigating the effects of extreme heat are examples of the power of the University of Arizona faculty, staff and student research and innovation. University officials project research activity has exceeded $1 billion in fiscal year 2024, which ended on June 30, 2024, and are submitting this data to the National Science Foundation for review. The official number will be confirmed in the fall. 

"Our faculty members tackle urgent global challenges, from energy and environmental issues to national security, human health and the societal impact of technological change," said University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella. "The scale of our research enterprise provides the capacity to lead multi-institution and interdisciplinary successes like the OSIRIS-REx mission and to pursue revolutionary advancements that will benefit people everywhere, such as personalized medical treatments with the Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies. Research advances human knowledge and is a core part of our mission: It provides the hands-on learning experience that prepares our students to pursue their goals and contributes to the cutting-edge workforce Arizona needs while also strengthening communities and creating opportunity throughout the state."

Reaching this milestone places the U of A among a select group of top research institutions, including Stanford University, Duke University, Harvard University, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Florida, the University of Michigan, and the University of North Carolina. 

Newly released data from the NSF's Higher Education Research and Development Survey confirmed that the university delivered $955 million in total research activity in FY23 (including more than $356 million in health sciences); this year's submission for the survey exceeds that mark. The survey ranks institutions based on research expenditures, providing a comprehensive measure of research vitality, and for the sixth consecutive year, the U of A ranks among the nation’s top 20 public research institutions and the top 4% of over 900 universities and colleges that invested in research and development. 

The U of A also maintained its No. 1 ranking in astronomy and astrophysics – a distinction held annually since 1987. Additional key rankings include:

• No. 4: High Hispanic enrollment
• No. 6: NASA-funded activity
• No. 7: Physical sciences
• No. 20: Public universities overall
• No. 36: All universities

"Research is the cornerstone of the University of Arizona's standing as a world-class institution, and our latest rankings reaffirm this excellence," said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president of research and innovation. "Our extraordinary research community – faculty, postdocs, students and staff – continues to tackle the world's most pressing challenges while forging transformative partnerships with government, industry and nonprofit organizations. This work is guided by our land-grant mission, driving innovation and discovery, enriching student learning, and strengthening Arizona's economy, workforce and communities."

Read more about U of A Research, Innovation & Impact.

"The University of Arizona offers a unique environment to pursue groundbreaking research across diverse fields, including my work on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias at the U of A Health Sciences Center for Innovation in Brain Science," said Coco Tirambulo, an M.D./Ph.D. student at the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson. "Growing up in my parents' adult care home, I witnessed the challenges faced by patients and caregivers, which fuels my commitment to advancing precision medicine therapies. I hope our research leads to transformative solutions for families navigating neurodegenerative diseases."