UT minority-serving institutions top in nation in federal funding for science and engineering

AUSTIN—Three University of Texas institutions rank among the top 20 minority-serving academic institutions in the nation that received the most federal research funding for science and engineering.

The National Science Foundation recently released updated data on federal science and engineering funding to universities and colleges for fiscal year 2015. The University of Texas at El Paso, The University of Texas at San Antonio and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley rank No. 4, No. 7 and No. 17, respectively, for minority-serving institutions.

Funding totals for FY2015 were:

• UT El Paso – $29.7 million
• UT San Antonio – $23.3 million
• UT Rio Grande Valley – $13.5 million

“These UT institutions offer the highest level of expertise in scientific research and development,” UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven said. “They are driving innovation and making a significant impact on our state’s future workforce and economy.”

Funding for minority-serving institutions increased by 1 percent from fiscal year 2014 to 2015, marking the third straight annual increase. The increase for minority-serving institution is significant given overall science and engineering funding to all universities declined 2 percent in 2015.

The National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency and a primary source of federal funding in many fields, in 2015 awarded $127 million to UT institutions, which represents 38 percent of all NSF funds awarded in Texas.

Collectively, UT’s 14 institutions received more than $1.1 billion in federal research funding in 2015 alone.

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 228,000 students, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates approximately two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System’s operating budget for FY 2017 is $17.9 billion, including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With more than 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and many members of the National Academies – and nearly 80,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.