UNMC research continues to grow, with total research expenditures increasing by 10% to $202 million in fiscal year 2023, the largest total in UNMC’s history.
Research awards totaled $173.4 million this past fiscal year, an increase of 2%. Total sponsored awards, which includes public service awards and other funding that is not categorized as research, remained stable at $250.5 million.
“These metrics continue to increase from year to year and reflect the great work UNMC’s researchers are doing,” said Ken Bayles, PhD, vice chancellor for research.
Research expenditures and awards
The UNMC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research uses both awards and expenditures to track progress and growth. Both are important and together give a complete picture of the work UNMC researchers are conducting.
Additionally, UNMC is ranked by different organizations using criteria that involve both metrics.
Award metrics reflect the funding transferred to UNMC in given year, which can sometimes be multi-year awards, whereas expenditures are the amount of funds that are actually spent during the year. Awards tend to be more of a forward-looking metric, while expenditures reflect activity in the current year.
Research expenditures better represent clinical trials, because these projects are incrementally funded as participants are enrolled in studies, and the final total often is different from the original award. Expenditures also account for research funded by donors, academic health center partners and state-aided funds.
Said Dr. Bayles, “I continue to be amazed by the ingenuity and innovative spirit of our researchers. This bodes very well for the future of research at UNMC.”