NDSU is listed among the top 50 research universities in several National Science Foundation research categories for fiscal year 2008, the latest year national statistics are available. When ranked by research and development expenditures among 554 research universities without a medical school, NDSU ranks 39th nationally in the foundation's survey.
When total research expenditures across all institutions are compared, NDSU ranks 122nd out of 679 institutions included in the National Science Foundation Survey of Research and Development Expenditures. The survey offers a snapshot of how NDSU compares among U.S. research universities and colleges included in the survey. NDSU’s total research expenditures were $115.5 million for fiscal year 2008. For fiscal year 2009, NDSU reported an estimated $114.2 million in research activities for the next foundation survey.
Among various research categories in the Survey of Research and Development Expenditures, NDSU ranks as follows for fiscal year 2008:
• In the field of agricultural sciences, NDSU ranks 26th in total research expenditures among universities and colleges.
• When ranked by total research expenditures in social sciences, NDSU ranks 40th among research universities.
• In the field of physical sciences, NDSU ranks 53rd in total research expenditures at colleges and universities. In the rankings, the physical sciences category includes astronomy, chemistry, physics, materials sciences and other sciences not classified elsewhere.
• In the field of chemistry, NDSU ranks 90th in total research expenditures among the top 100 universities and colleges in this category.
“The National Science Foundation survey shows sustained research excellence at NDSU. Our faculty, staff and students continue to excel in areas of innovative and technology-driven research,” said Philip Boudjouk, vice president for research, creative activities and technology transfer at NDSU. “The continued overall national ranking illustrates the exceptional work by faculty, staff and students in a very competitive research environment.”
The majority of NDSU research funding comes from multi-year federal research contracts and competitive grant awards. Additional research funding comes through awards, grants and contracts from state and business funding sources.
