MSU continues to progress in research rankings
December 31, 2002
Mississippi State is taking another upward step in the rankings of national research institutions.
According to a new report from the National Science Foundation, the university now is 57th among public institutions in research and development expenditures for science and engineering. The achievement is based on a 1999-2000 volume of $132.5 million, a 19.5 percent increase from $110.9 million in 1998-99 research expenditures.
MSU ranked 58th the previous year, based on expenditures in fields including engineering, physical and life sciences, social sciences, psychology, and mathematics.
“Research conducted by Mississippi State faculty members has a substantial impact on the economy and future of our state,” noted Robert A. Altenkirch, vice president for research.
MSU now accounts for 61 percent of all research and development activity at all eight state universities, Altenkirch added. His source is the Dec. 28 NSF report titled “Academic Research and Development Expenditures: Fiscal Year 2000.”
In the report, Mississippi State moves to the No. 5 spot in agricultural sciences research among both public and private American universities and 34th in engineering research, also among all institutions. The university previously ranked eighth in agricultural sciences and 37th in engineering.
The biggest source of MSU funding in 1999-2000 was the federal government, which provided about $54 million for research through the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and other agencies.
Inclusion among the top 50 public research universities is a university goal.