ResearchHighlights

August 2000

Inside This Issue:

Faculty efforts get credit for setting high water mark in external funding.

Research goals pay off as external funding doubles over two years

In Hollywood, summertime is blockbuster season, the time of year that movie studios generally report their biggest earnings. Summer is also turning into blockbuster season for The University of Mississippi’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, where the end of the fiscal year has come to mean record numbers.

This summer is no different. For the 1999-2000 fiscal year, which ended June 30, external funding for research, education and service projects grew by more than 29 percent, soaring to a record $44,054,401. That figure easily topped last year’s record-setting $34,106,523 and more than doubled the FY 97-98 total of $20,465,347.

The dramatic increase provides further evidence that the University is gaining credibility as a major research institution, says Dr. Ron Borne, interim vice chancellor for research.

“The University has a hard-working, talented and highly competitive faculty,” Borne says. “The achievements this year certainly demonstrate the quality of our researchers. It’s also a credit to Chancellor (Robert) Khayat, who has made research a priority as part of his goal of making Ole Miss one of the nation’s great public universities.”

The awards for FY 99-00 include grants in a broad range of disciplines, from chemistry, physics and pharmacy to business, education and Southern studies.

“The scope of these awards reflects the success we’ve had in establishing centers and programs of research excellence in a wide range of areas,” Borne says. “Many of our faculty have truly international reputations in research excellence.”

Some of the highlights from the past year include:

Several developments are on the way that will enhance the University’s research capabilities and reputation. They include the completion of the $6.5-million Center for Water and Wetland Resources at the University Field Station, set for a Sept. 1 dedication, and the launch of UM Quest, a new annual publication that spotlights many of the innovative research projects being conducted by University researchers. Also, construction is in the final stages on the National Food Service Management Institute, which should be completed early next year.

“We anticipate that the momentum generated by our recent research initiatives will result in even more dramatic increases in external funding in the future,” Borne says.

contributed by Mitchell Diggs

External Grants and Contracts/Awards 2000-2001

Awards Received

May Awards $6,436,118 17 Awards for May
June Awards $3,346,725 30 Awards for June
YTD Awards $44,054,401 275 Awards for year-to-date

29.2% increase over total dollars awarded FY 98-99; 115.3% increase over total dollars awarded FY97-98; 121% increase over total dollars awarded FY 96-97

Proposals Submitted

May 2000 $15,469,788 32 Proposals Submitted
June 2000 $3,196,626 15 Proposals Submitted
YTD Proposals $141,500,468 374 Proposals year-to-date

35% increase over dollars requested FY 98-99; 55% increase over dollars requested FY 97-98;121% increase over dollars requested FY 96-97

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