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New edition of
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James Weyhenmeyer, PhD, senior vice provost for research at the State University of New York, talks about academic research funding
James Weyhenmeyer
James Tonna: In the US, how does
academic research funding work?
James Weyhenmeyer: Research funding
works in many ways. Typically, a professor
poses a research plan and budget to a
potential sponsor, such as the federal
government, an industry or a charitable
foundation. If the sponsor approves the
plan and budget proposed by the academic
researcher, the sponsor awards a grant or
contract to the researcher’s university,
as reimbursement for the researcher’s
expenses incurred in completing the
project. Such arrangements can be quite
complicated, especially when new ideas,
materials or processes are created and if
several researchers and organizations
are participating in a project.
What is the impact on the US economy?
Our nation’s capacity for innovation will
determine its future competitiveness in
the global market. In 2006, US academic
institutions spent $48 billion on research
and development (R&D), accounting
for about 0.4% of the gross domestic
product that year. To the extent that
this R&D produces new technologies,
it strengthens the economy by creating
new products, businesses and jobs.
Who are the key players?
The federal government provides most
of the funding for R&D performed in
academic institutions. In 2006, the
most recent year for which this data
is available, the federal government,
through such agencies as the Department
of Health and Human Services,
Department of Defense, Department
of Energy, National Science Foundation
and Department of Agriculture, as
well as NASA, accounted for 63% of
academic R&D. Academic institutions
themselves contributed 19% of R&D
funding, while industry’s share was
about 5%.
What areas of research attract the
most funding?
The federal government spends about
$80 billion per year on defense-related
R&D, $30 billion on medical-related
R&D and $10.5 billion on energy-related
R&D. The top industry R&D sectors are
pharmaceuticals, software and
semiconductors/electronics.
Who benefits from academic
research funding?
Academic R&D enriches humanity by
extending the boundaries of knowledge,
finding solutions to societal problems
and driving economic development.
The results of academic research are
found in everyday life and have
changed the way we do things. For
example, research at the State
University of New York led to the
development of bar code scanning
technology, which revolutionized retail,
and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
a major advance in medical diagnostics.
How do academic institutions apply for
research funding?
A government, industry or foundation
sponsor may issue a funding
announcement, seeking applicants to help
the sponsor accomplish a goal, such as
reducing healthcare costs. Colleges and
universities submit research proposals
that contain descriptions of specific
research projects to be undertaken and
the expertise of faculty and staff who
will do the projects, as well as estimates
of funds needed.
How has the nature of US academic
research funding and research
administration changed over time?
The trend in sponsored research is
toward interdisciplinary grants that
involve hard sciences, engineering,
humanities, medicine, law and
business. In addition, most funding
announcements today are looking
for multipartner
collaborations that
require research
administrators to manage
subcontracts with both
industry and other
academic institutions.
What are the three
biggest challenges facing academic
institutions that are trying to attract
research funding?
The first challenge is that US federal
research funding is expected to fall in
real terms for the fifth year in a row in
the 2009 budget, while competition for
that funding is increasing. The second
challenge is the quality of science and
technology education we provide to our
students from elementary through
graduate school. We need to build a
human pipeline for new scientists and
engineers who will help us lead the
innovation economy of the 21st century.
The third challenge is the aging physical
infrastructure within our academic
institutions. Emerging economies, such
as China and India, are strengthening
their higher education systems.
State-of-the-art equipment and facilities
are an important factor in attracting and
retaining the best talent.
What future trends will most influence
US academic research funding in the
next 10 years?
Since the Great Depression, the US has
not emerged from an economic downturn
without technological breakthroughs,
and many of those were generated by
academic research. President Obama has
proposed an economic stimulus package
that specifically identifies the need to
further technologies that reduce energy
use and global-warming emissions.
Biotechnology will remain a magnet for
research investment as global demand
and changing demographics stimulate
growth in healthcare markets.
PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that
the global pharmaceutical market will
have more than doubled in value to
$1.3 trillion by 2020. 
james.weyhenmeyer@rfsuny.org
https://portal.rfsuny.org
