Missouri State University faculty and staff pursued robust research, education and service projects in fiscal year 2024 resulting in a second banner funding year.  

The university received external grants and contracts worth $63.2 million. This is a record-setting 40% jump from the previous record of almost $45.1 million set last year.    

Faculty and staff submitted 317 proposals to address the needs of students, businesses, communities and schools in southwest Missouri and beyond.  

“Our faculty and staff continue to remain resilient in an increasingly competitive federal funding environment,” said Marina Loveland, Missouri State’s director of research administration.  “While overall funding received from federal sources was down slightly, they found ways to compensate through their requests of support from businesses, the state, city and county agencies, as well as international sources, which all increased this last fiscal year.” 

Included in the annual report is nearly $37 million in federal appropriations, the bulk of which go toward Phase II of the Blunt Hall renovation project. This brings the FY24 external funding total to $100.2 million.   

View the full FY2024 research report   

Types of awards   

Federal agencies remain the top funder with FY24 awards covering various projects from public school teacher development to goat meat consumption. 

Among the highlights were: 

• U.S. Department of Education: To fund Regional Professional Development Centers to provide services to districts that support the development and retention of teachers. Professional development will support early learning and literacy, success-ready students and safe and healthy schools.  

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: To address food security by expanding American meat protein diet through improvements in public perception and acceptance of goat consumption.  

• U.S. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration: To establish a statewide partnership that connects, individuals, employers and economic development organizations with university and Southern Missouri Innovation Network resources to advance the region’s economic impact.  

• U.S. Department of the Interior: To continue a collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS) staff for annual data collection to monitor trends in fish, aquatic invertebrate, springs and water quality in 15 NPS units. 

For more information, visit the research website.