Missouri Ranks High in Academic Research and Development
In 2006, Missouri ranked 16th nationally in dollars granted for academic research and development. Missouri’s academic researchers were allocated $900 million for research and development, up from $893 million in 2005. Among border states, only Illinois ranked higher in academic research and development funding.
The federal government remains the largest source of academic R&D funding, accounting for more than 60 percent of total R&D expenditures most years since 1972. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the National Institutes of Health, has historically been the largest provider of federal R&D funding to universities and colleges. The National Science Foundation was the second largest provider.
Medical sciences and biological sciences accounted for more than one-half of all research and development at universities and colleges in 2006. Bioengineering and biomedical engineering research and development continues to be the fastest-growing field, with an average increase of 15.0% annually since 2000.
The majority (82%) of Missouri's academic research and development funds, in 2006 went to Life Science projects, with the remaining funds allocated to Engineering (7%) and Physical Sciences (4%).
| Academic Research and Development | ||||||
| State | Academic R&D, 2006 (in millions) | Rank | Life Sciences Percent | Engineering Percent | Physical Sciences Percent | Other Percent |
| Illinois | $1,824 | 7 | 61 | 13 | 9 | 17 |
| Missouri | $900 | 16 | 82 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
| Tennessee | $743 | 21 | 67 | 13 | 6 | 14 |
| Iowa | $573 | 25 | 68 | 15 | 5 | 12 |
| Kentucky | $479 | 29 | 73 | 13 | 4 | 10 |
| Nebraska | $359 | 33 | 69 | 9 | 5 | 17 |
| Kansas | $354 | 34 | 62 | 17 | 6 | 15 |
| Oklahoma | $298 | 36 | 56 | 15 | 12 | 17 |
| Arkansas | $237 | 39 | 76 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
| U.S. | $47,735 | ***** |
60 | 15 | 8 | 17 |
Source: National Science Foundation
