Federal funds for academic research rose by 13.1 percent in 2003, the second straight year of double-digit increases, the National Science Foundation reported on July 20. The University of Arizona made the top 25 list of public and private institutions, receiving more than $259 million in federal R&D in 2003. Of the public universities, UA ranked 15th.

Only one other top 25 institution beside UA had a higher percent increase from the previous year. The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana increased its 2002-03 funding by 24.3 percent, while UA increased by 22.3 percent.

The growth in federal funds, coupled with a continuing drop in funds from industry, fueled an increase in the federal share of academic-research money to nearly 62 percent, its highest level since 1985.

The numbers come from the NSF's annual "Survey of Research and Development Expenditures at Universities and Colleges." The survey is based on figures from the 2003 fiscal year, the most recent data reported by the agency.

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For more information:

Survey of Research and Development Expenditures at Universities and Colleges