Grant Funding Hits All-Time High at USM

The amount of new grant and contract awards at USM has hit an all-time high of $29 million in new awards, according to the 1999-2000 annual report issued by the Office of Sponsored Programs.

A total of 235 research projects funded by new and continuing awards from external funding sources were underway as USM entered the 2000-2001 year, compared to 209 in 1997-1998.

Awards for the 1999-2000 period are more than four times the 1990-1991 total of $6.5 million and more than 1.5 times the 1995 total of $18,260,000, according to Larry Waxler, director of the Office of Sponsored Programs. Waxler's office matches faculty and staff research interests with potential sponsors, aids in proposal preparation, and administers projects once they are awarded.

Growth in funded research at USM is seen throughout the university. Waxler cites several reasons for the growth, including an increasing number of research-oriented faculty and the greater emphasis within the university on supporting teaching through research activities. A number of the current research projects utilize students in collecting and analyzing data, deepening their understanding and interest in science.

Money provided by the Legislature for research and development related to biotechnology and information sciences has provided additional impetus for faculty to pursue research interests and a better infrastructure to support research. For some faculty, like Chris Maher, assistant professor of biology, and Nancy Gordon, professor of chemistry, the R&D appropriation has provided matching funds that have enabled them to compete successfully for funding from national sources such as the National Science Foundation. Maher is working on a project, funded by the NSF, on the mating behavior of woodchucks. Gordon studies the impact of heavy metal pollution on marine algae and other marine life. The R&D funds, which are dedicated to biotechnology and information technology, have freed internal funds to be used to support research in other fields.

For a copy of the OSP annual report, call 780-4411.

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