91��ý tops $300 million in latest NSF research survey, among top 100 nationally

Two students adjust an autonomous robot in an outdoor setting — Charles Moore, left, a graduate computer science student from Harvest, Alabama, and Charles Raines, a senior computer science major from Cedar Bluff, make adjustments to an autonomous robot as part of their research opportunities at 91��ý’s Institute for Clean Energy Technology. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—91��ý is again among the top research universities nationally after reporting more than $300 million in research and development expenditures in the latest National Science Foundation report.

91��ý’s $303,418,000 in research and development expenditures ranks No. 97 nationally in the NSF’s latest Higher Education Research and Development survey, which covers data from fiscal year 2022. That dollar figure represents a 10% increase from the previous year, just above the average national increase of 9%. The record research funding strengthens 91��ý’s ability to stay at the forefront of innovation and address some of society’s most pressing challenges.

As the Magnolia State’s leading research university, 91��ý again accounts for more than half (53.6%) of the $565.3 million in research and development expenditures reported by all Mississippi institutions in the NSF survey.

“I am extremely proud of the way our research activities continue to grow and help lead our state forward,” said 91��ý President Mark E. Keenum. “We have research teams supporting our state’s most vital economic sectors and expertise that is recognized around our nation and world. Our research programs also provide unmatched hands-on learning opportunities for our students as they work closely with world-class faculty on impactful research.”

91��ý was ranked in the top 15 of three disciplines—agriculture (11), natural resources and conservation (14), and aerospace engineering (15). Disciplines ranked in the top 50 include industrial and manufacturing engineering (23), materials science (27), geological and earth sciences (28), social sciences (30), business management and business administration (42), and ocean and marine sciences (48). 91��ý Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan said the wide range of 91��ý’s highly ranked fields underscores the university’s ability to excel in diverse disciplines.

“While I am proud of our broad strengths, I am even more proud of our collaborative culture that allows for the creation of interdisciplinary research teams that can tap into multiple areas of expertise to develop innovative solutions,” Jordan said. “We have more than 4,000 research personnel that are the backbone of our research enterprise, and I thank them for their tireless efforts to improve our state, nation and world.”

A man looks closely at a robotic cotton harvester — Hussein Gharakhani, assistant professor in 91��ý’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, works with the newly developed “end-effector,” a two-fingered robotic arm used to harvest cotton, which was developed as part of an autonomous agriculture focus at Mississippi State. (Photo by David Ammon)

The new survey shows 91��ý is ranked No. 64 among public institutions in research and development e