Improve educational services. Develop new technologies. Grow better specialty crops. Address social issues.

Missouri State University faculty and staff took on these projects and more in fiscal year (FY) 2018.

External grants and contracts worth $26 million made the research, education and service projects possible. This record-breaking amount is a 27 percent increase over last year. It also tops the previous record of $24.7 million set in FY2016.

Rachel McGinnis, interim director of research administration, said the university’s faculty and staff secured more funding despite difficult budget times.

“Their persistence increases Missouri State’s research and service activities, and helps further our students’ educational opportunities,” she added.

Federal agencies remain the leading funding source. There was also an increase in awards from nonprofit and business sponsors.

View the FY2018 Research Report

Highlights of awards

Service projects made up almost half of the awards Missouri State received. Samples of grants and contracts awarded in FY2018 include:

• U.S. Department of Education: To provide educational services for students preparing to take their high school equivalency test, as well as those getting ready for college.

• U.S. Department of Energy: To develop technology that improves efficiency of fossil power system.

• U.S. Department of Justice: To coordinate Project HEAL (Help, Educate, Advocate and Listen), an effort to reduce sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking at MSU and Ozarks Technical Community College.

• U.S. Small Business Administration: To give workers and entrepreneurs more skills so they can better compete in the advanced manufacturing sector.

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: To provide audiology consultation to the department’s Newborn Hearing Screening Program.

• Missouri State Board of Nursing: To increase simulation experiences in MSU’s nursing programs.

Visit the research website for more information.