In his Annual Report on the Status of Research and Technology Commercialization before the Board of Regents today, Vice President for Research Christopher J. Cramer credited University of Minnesota’s research community for record productivity and a remarkable pivot to COVID-19 safety protocols and COVID-19-related work.
The University of Minnesota’s annual research and development (R&D) expenditures exceeded $1 billion for the first time in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, the most recent year with available figures, a level that is anticipated to rank 10th among US public research universities in the National Science Foundation’s HERD Survey to be published in January 2021. Over the last five years, the University has experienced continuous and steady growth in R&D activity and impact, maintaining its standing as one of America’s leading research universities.
Cramer also reported that the University maintained its strengths in external sponsored awards ($876 million for FY2020) and technology commercialization activity, including in the number of startup companies (19) and the number of revenue generating licensing agreements (601).
“With an agility that inspired all of us, the University’s research enterprise quickly shifted work toward addressing the coronavirus pandemic, our researchers delivered Minnesota-made solutions that have improved the lives of many,” said Cramer. “And they’ve been diligent themselves in strict adherence to the safety protocols required to maintain the University’s continued, robust research enterprise all the while. Our researchers deserve our enormous gratitude for their creativity, resilience, and commitment to safety.”
See more at UMN Research Statistics.