UNO's External Funding Hits All-Time High

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has set a new record by bringing in a record amount of external funding - $22,432,327 – for the 2017-2018 academic school year.

“The increase in external funding UNO has received in the past year is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the UNO faculty, and is a testament to the fact that we are in an upward trajectory of excellence in research and creative activity,” said Ken Bayles, Ph.D, interim associate vice chancellor for Research and Creative Activity at UNO.

The funding is a 29 percent increase from the previous fiscal year and will be spread out over 200 different projects in UNO’s six colleges.

Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., said that the record supports UNO’s mission as a Carnegie Doctoral Research University.

“This record-breaking year is proof of UNO’s commitment to being a leader in research,” Dr. Gold said. “Our faculty have done an outstanding job exploring research opportunities in areas that are critical to Nebraska’s future.”

Notable new awards in 2018 include:

• The US Department of Justice’s support for Dr. Joe Schwartz and Dr. Benjamin Steiner’s research on the examination of the role of physiological and psychological responses as well as mental health problems among correctional officers.
• The National Science Foundation’s support for Dr. Yuliya Lierler’s efforts to understand automated optimization in Answer Set Programming.
• The Nebraska Arts Council’s support of UNO’s annual Jazz Festival, under the direction of Dr. Pete Madsen.
• The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s support for Dr. Matt Germonprez’s work in open source health and sustainability.
• The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence’s (COBRE) support of the Department of Biomechanics’ cutting edge research.
• The Small Business Development Center’s support of the Nebraska Business Development Center in the College of Business Administration.
• The YSEALI’s support of Patrick McNamara’s ongoing efforts to increasing UNO’s international partnerships.

“The funding endows our faculty with the resources to solve real-world problems, to contribute new paradigms for understanding in their disciplinary communities, and to provide our students with access to exceptional scholarly activities,” Bayles added.

“UNO’s research and creative activity continue to receive acknowledgement by local, national, and international audiences. This record level of external funding is another reason it’s an exciting time to be part of UNO.”

Awarded funds by college:

• College of Education – 26 awards, $6,946,223.
• College of Arts and Sciences – 50 awards, $2,685,985
• College of Business Administration – 26 awards, $2,557,065
• College of Communication, Fine Arts & Media – 8 awards, $195,026
• College of Information Science & Technology – 31 awards, $2,194,921
• College of Public Affairs & Community Service – 34 awards, $4,603,931

Additional notes:

• Fifty-seven awards were funded from 14 different state agencies.
• Forty-six awards were funded from 13 different federal departments.
• Of the 133 faculty submitted proposals, 87 were funded.
• More than $430,000 will support 127 student awards.