The Johns Hopkins University performed $1.14 billion
in science, medical and engineering research in fiscal year
2002, making it — for the 24th year in a row —
the country's leading academic institution in such
expenditures, according to a new National Science
Foundation ranking.
The university also ranked first on the NSF's list of
federally funded research expenditures, spending $1.023
billion in FY2002 on research funded by such agencies as
the National Institutes of Health, NASA, the NSF and the
Department of the Defense.
On both lists, Johns Hopkins is the first university
ever to cross the $1 billion threshold. In FY2001, Johns
Hopkins topped both lists with $999 million in total
research and $880 million in federally sponsored
research.
Research funding at Johns Hopkins supports projects
exploring everything from the microscopic world of stem
cells to the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer's
probes into the origins of the universe. Funding from
federal and other sources supports research conducted at
the university's School of Medicine, Bloomberg School of
Public Health, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Whiting
School of Engineering, School of Nursing and Applied
Physics Laboratory.
"Johns Hopkins performs medical, science and
engineering research to expand knowledge and contribute
discoveries and innovations that have lasting and
meaningful benefits for humanity," said William R. Brody,
president of the university.
"But there is an important side benefit," Brody said.
"The fact that our scientists and engineers win this
funding, and then spend much of it in Maryland, adds
enormously to the strength of the state's economy. In the
three years ending in fiscal 2002, Johns Hopkins added an
average of 1,000 jobs a year in Maryland, many directly or
indirectly related to research."
The university's economic impact includes the use of
its discoveries to promote private enterprise through the
licensing of new technology to new and existing businesses.
In fiscal 2002, Johns Hopkins researchers applied for 492
patents and were granted 86. The university also concluded
98 licensing or option agreements with businesses that
year.
Johns Hopkins has led the NSF's research expenditure
rankings each year since 1979, when the agency's
methodology was revised in a way that included research
spending by the Applied Physics Laboratory in the
university's totals.
On the FY2002 total research expenditure list,
released in May, Johns Hopkins is followed by the
University of California, Los Angeles, which spent $788
million in research and development in fiscal 2002. The
University of Michigan (all campuses) ranked third with
$674 million in expenditures, followed by the University of
Wisconsin, Madison with $662 million. The University of
Washington completed the top five at $627 million.
The total funding ranking includes not only research
support from federal agencies but also support from
corporations, foundations and other sources.