FAMU brings in over $96 million in sponsored research during FY22-23

With the beginning of a new fiscal year underway, FAMU yesterday announced that during Fiscal Year 2022-2023 (FY23) the university had received a record $96.4 million in external research awards. The notable investment in the state’s largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) includes a combined $28.7 million in new funding for Title III programs and the FAMU Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative.  This marks the second consecutive year of historic funding commitments for the university, and a 34 percent increase over last year.  
 
“Significant and impactful research is taking place on our campus,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson.  “Our research is far from being esoteric and is addressing so many of the intractable challenges facing urban and marginalized communities.”
 
“This nearly $100 million in research investments is a strong endorsement of FAMU’s role in driving innovation in our state and nation.  FAMU is fast positioning itself to be one of the top institutions in the nation in tackling health inequities and disparities; environmental racism,  climate change, precision agriculture, enhancing our nation’s ability to build a stronger cybersecurity infrastructure; and in producing an impressive array of diverse talent to drive competitiveness in Florida and beyond,” Robinson added.
 
The funding further advances the university’s goal of achieving Carnegie R-1 classification. 
 
The R-1 classification is based on the amount of money an institution spends on research, the number of research staff members employed and the number of doctoral degrees awarded across disciplines to assess the volume, intensity and breadth of the research an institution produces. To qualify for the R-1 which indicate “very high” research activity institutions must have awarded at least 20 doctoral degrees and spent at least $5 million on research expenditures in a given year.
 
R-1 status comes with a range of benefits in addition to academic prestige. These institutions get invited to apply for more grants and contracts, and they attract leading scholars.
 
FAMU currently holds the Carnegie R-2 classification, which signifies “high” research activity.  FAMU is one of only 11 HBCUs to hold this classification.
 
R-1 status can help HBCUs, like FAMU,  produce more top scientists from minority backgrounds.