JMU Receives Nearly $25 Million in Research, External Funding

From: Public Affairs

August 13, 2007

HARRISONBURG — James Madison University faculty and staff acquired an all-time university record of $24,902,471 in external funding in fiscal year 2007 to augment curriculum development, laboratory enhancement, instrumentation purchases, and scholarly and creative endeavors.

"This accomplishment continues 13 consecutive years of vigorous growth in external funding, increasing 721 percent since 1995," said Dr. John B. Noftsinger Jr., associate vice president of Academic Affairs for Research and Public Service.

During fiscal year 2007, more than 107 JMU faculty and staff submitted 305 funding proposals. Of those proposals, 254 resulted in awards for activities ranging from research and instruction to public service. JMU's grant seekers obtained an enviable funding success rate in fiscal year 2007 of 83 percent. Over the past 13 years, JMU faculty and staff members have submitted a total of 3,347 proposals and received 2,471 awards for a total of $185,545,475 in externally sponsored projects.

"The driving force behind JMU's sustained increases in external funding is undeniably the dedicated faculty and staff who continually develop successful funding applications to creatively seek out additional resources that enhance our programs and student learning," said Noftsinger.

The sources of the external funding were:


  • Federal government agencies - $13,991,838
  • State agencies — $6,806,232
  • Virginia city and county agencies — $279,430
  • Private and nonprofit agencies — $1,620,228
  • Industry — $1,303,465
  • Foundations — $672,592
  • Non-Virginia government - $19,916
  • University — $208,770

External funding also provides students with the opportunity to attain a quality education while working with faculty mentors on challenging projects and provides faculty with state-of-the-art technology in their laboratories and classrooms for instructional innovation and excellence in teaching. As a part of Research and Public Services, the JMU Office of Sponsored Programs serves as the university's support unit in obtaining external funding to support creative, scholarly and research activities while remaining in compliance with federal and state guidelines.

In the 13 years between 1995 and 2007, JMU researchers have achieved an impressive 74 percent success rate in their quest for external funding. According to Noftsinger, "This is a testament to the quality of our faculty, administrative staff and all others engaged in the application and receipt process for external funding at JMU."

Additional funding details can be found at http://www.jmu.edu/sponsprog/fyawards.html.

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