Generating Discoveries
University of Iowa research has an especially profound impact on the Iowa economy—attracting hundreds of millions in grants and contracts, but also generating discoveries that spark new businesses.
Government and industry funding for UI research has been growing for decades. In fiscal 2009, research brought $429.5 million to the state (that total rose to $466.5 million in fiscal 2010). According to the most recent survey by the National Science Foundation, the University ranks 20th among public universities in federal funds for research and development.
This funding helped support the equivalent of 6,275 full-time jobs in fiscal 2009—both direct employment for UI research personnel and jobs created for supply and equipment vendors, contractors, and others across the University and beyond. Overall, Tripp Umbach assesses direct and indirect economic impact linked to UI research at $962.7 million.