Wichita State has achieved a milestone in research funding.
The university announced this week it received $104.5 million in grants and other awards for research and development during the 2018 fiscal year.
“It’s very significant because this is the first time in WSU’s history that we have exceeded $100 million,” said Karen Davis, director of pre-award services for WSU’s Office of Research. “Last year we set a very ambitious goal to hit that mark, and it’s really exciting that not only did we meet it, but we were able to exceed it.”
The record amount is an increase of more than $14 million from the previous year.
WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research generated about 66 percent of the university’s total research funding. Through NIAR, the university received more than $12 million from the Department of Defense, including a $5 million award from the U.S. Air Force and $4 million from the Navy.
Other areas of the university also made gains. WSU’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, College of Engineering, and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences each recorded a $1 million increase in research awards over last year.
Davis said the funding milestone is critical to the university’s strategic plan. Launched in 2013, the plan’s goal is for WSU to become the internationally recognized model for applied learning and research.
Ascha Lee is a KMUW engagement assistant and an intern in the KMUW News Lab. Follow her on Twitter@AschaLee.