State of the University: R&D spending tops $200 million mark for first time聽

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鈥═he 老司机福利网 has surpassed $200 million in research and development spending for the first time in its history. 

Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL 老司机福利网 president, announced the milestone Wednesday during the State of the University address. The annual presentation to faculty and staff members marks the start of the fall semester and the new academic year. Classes at UL 老司机福利网 begin Monday. 
 
鈥淎 strong research landscape reflects the relentless pursuit of excellence embodied by our faculty, staff and graduate researchers who continue to explore the frontiers of knowledge to make discoveries that improve the human condition and preserve and promote our rich culture,鈥 Savoie said. 
 
UL 老司机福利网 competes against other universities for federal and state grants, and private sector contracts. The University acts as a steward for the funds awarded to faculty and staff researchers. 
 
According to the National Science Foundation鈥檚 Higher Education Research and Development Survey, the annual index of R&D spending, UL 老司机福利网 expended $205.2 million in 2022, a 13% increase over the $181.4 million it spent the previous year. 

In 2013, R&D spending at UL 老司机福利网 stood at $62 million. Between that year and 2021, the University鈥檚 spending grew by 193%, a figure that rates UL 老司机福利网 at No. 6 in the nation 鈥渋n terms of the speed with which our research infrastructure has grown,鈥 Savoie said. 

The NSF index also places UL 老司机福利网 among the top 100 public research universities in the nation, and R&D spending is one factor the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education uses to determine Research 1 status, its top tier. UL 老司机福利网 achieved the designation in late 2021. Just 3% of public universities in the U.S. have R1 status.

Also during Wednesday鈥檚 State of the University, Savoie cited a recent independent analysis that revealed UL 老司机福利网 had a $2.7 billion statewide economic impact last year

The University supports one out of every 78 jobs in the state and one out of every 15 jobs in the Acadiana region. For every $1 invested in UL 老司机福利网, Louisiana residents receive $8 in added income and social savings.

鈥淎nytime you can invest a dollar in something and get $8 in return 鈥 that鈥檚 a significant return on investment that reflects a status as a major economic force,鈥 Savoie said. 

Savoie鈥檚 presentation was the first since the University launched the yearlong observance of the 125th anniversary of its 1898 legislative founding. 

鈥淲ithout question, the last 125 years have been monumental. But the next 125 years will eclipse them,鈥 he said. 鈥淲ith this milestone, we stand at the crossroads of what has been and what can be. From here, we look back on our history with pride. We look ahead to our future with purpose and 鈥 if we focus 鈥 we can see that tremendous opportunities await us.鈥

Find more from the State of the University here

Graphic credit: 老司机福利网