Ohio State sets R&D expenditures record

The Ohio State University reported more than $1.58 billion in research expenditures for fiscal year 2024 – a new university record. That represents an increase of over 9% from the previous year.

The university’s research and development expenditures have more than doubled since fiscal year 2012 and increased more than $600 million over the past four years. 

“This is a remarkable achievement for Ohio State, demonstrating the talents and dedication of our world-class students, faculty and staff,” said President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. “I’m proud that we keep company with the nation’s leading institutions, but even more impressive to me is the impact behind our numbers. Ohio State research and innovation in technology, health care, agriculture and so many other areas is an engine for growth that keeps our state and our communities competitive. The work done by our teams changes and saves the lives of Ohioans – the true measure of excellence for a land-grant university like ours.”

The Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, with support from the university’s colleges, tracks annual research and development funding. The combined total of federal, state, industry and institutional support measures the resources available for innovative scientific research and creative expression.

The funding goes toward life-saving procedures, treatments and diagnoses for diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diabetes. It funds critical research that drives Ohio business innovation and growth, allowing businesses to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and market trends. Grants and awards also foster development of innovative agricultural solutions that enhance crop yields, improve soil health, and combat pests and diseases. 

"The credit goes to the incredible deans, faculty, staff and students across the university. Our community has embraced a culture of creativity and innovation, and this is reflected in reaching this new milestone in excellence, with Ohio State’s annual research expenditures hitting an all-time high,” said Peter Mohler, executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge.  

Ohio State remains a top 15 research university according to the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey rankings for fiscal year 2023. The university submits annual data on R&D expenditures for the HERD survey.

The university ranks ahead of esteemed research programs at Harvard, Yale and Georgia Institute of Technology, and just behind Stanford, Cornell and Duke.

Sixteen of the top 30 institutions were public, accounting for $24.4 billion in total R&D expenditures. Ohio State ranked 5th in the expanded Big Ten.

Ohio State’s total federal research expenditures for FY 2024 were $774.2 million, an increase of 11% from FY 2023. Sponsored research by federal agencies included $400 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an 11% increase from the previous year.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored more than $81 million in research, up 19% from FY 2023, and the Department of Defense (DoD) supported $74.9 million in university research, a 31% increase from the previous year.

Other highlights include a 3% increase in industry-sponsored research for a total of $159.5 million, and about $66.9 million in state-sponsored research, an 8% increase.

From life-saving medicines and treatments to scientific discoveries that benefit farmers, teachers and first responders, learn more about the Ohio State research made with the support from our government partners here: Research saves lives