K-State continues to move toward President Kirk Schulz's goal of becoming a Top 50 research university in the next 15 years, receiving a record high in research funding during the 2009 to 2010 fiscal year.

According to the K-State Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the university received more than $147.6 million in research funding from 953 different awards, surpassing the $133.6 million awarded during the 2008 to 2009 year. K-State has seen increases in research funding in each of the last two years, despite a difficult economic landscape.

"I think these are especially difficult times economically," said Ron Trewyn, vice president for research. "Our faculty is to be commended for stepping up to the challenge."

Paul Lowe, assistant vice president for research, said the increases in funding are important early steps toward becoming a premier research university.

"It continues to move Kansas State up the status charts in terms of being a research university," Lowe said. "This surely is a start, and it is a substantial increase."

Faculty members across all academic departments of the university competed for research grants and awards, which allow for more extensive and in-depth research opportunities. To obtain the awards, Lowe said a university-wide effort was necessary.

"It is a very competitive environment that our faculty competes in," Lowe said. "Our efforts were focused on engaging the entire university in a mentality that research is important. We try to publish funding opportunities, talk with sponsors and program officers and become more engaged."

The research funding not only creates opportunities for faculty members but also for students. Lowe said research operations and functions can often provide some valuable academic field experience.

"What's great about K-State is how it takes research functions and provides research experiences for graduate students and undergraduate students," Lowe said.

One of the awards directly impacting students is a grant received by Samantha Wisely, associate professor of biology, for her work in undergraduate research and mentoring in ecological genomics. Wisely and her colleagues received funding from the National Science Foundation to provide research opportunities for undergraduate students mentored by faculty members.

"Speaking from personal experience, having an undergraduate assistant in my lab has been completely invaluable. They have contributed to virtually every aspect of my research," Wisely said. "And for them, it gives them a taste of what graduate life and academic life is about."

The increase in research funding comes after President Schulz announced a goal earlier this year to put K-State among the Top 50 research universities in the country by the year 2025. Although completion of the goal is still far off, enthusiasm is in no short supply for K-State's progress, and the awards are a big reason for that.

"We are excited about grants in speech, theatre or dance just like we are excited about those in biomedicine," Lowe said. "If I point out one, I've left out 100 more. They are all really exciting. And to watch the growth of the university since the 80s, it's just really exciting to see another growth spurt at K-State."

K-State plans to release a detailed research report later in the semester to outline each award received, as well a list of award sponsors.