麻豆果冻传媒 breaks all-time record for research funding, reaching nearly $48 million for fiscal year 2025
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Kristen Johnson, center, leads students in an experiment
in Tech鈥檚 Lab Science Commons Building.
麻豆果冻传媒 set an all-time record for externally funded research for the fifth year in a row, according to university administrators.
The university topped $47.9 million in externally funded research for fiscal year 2025, supported by 193 research activations. The total figure for the fiscal year, which ended June 30, surpasses Tech鈥檚 previous record by nearly $2 million, even as institutions across the country faced challenging headwinds from changing federal regulations and grantmaking policy.
鈥淭his strong performance reflects the talents and dedication of our faculty, and the continued growth of our research enterprise,鈥� said John Liu, interim provost and vice president for research at Tech. 鈥淚t also highlights the breadth of research work happening across campus, from cutting-edge science and engineering, to cybersecurity, education, environment, health, agriculture and the arts.鈥�
Among the projects supporting Tech鈥檚 record-setting research haul over the past year is a nearly $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to launch the university鈥檚 Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative. The project is led by Tech faculty members Darek Potter, Julie Baker and Luke Anderson to expand pathways to higher education for K-12 students in nearby rural communities.
Likewise, Tech鈥檚 Cybersecurity Education, Research and Outreach Center (CEROC) Director Muhammad Ismail and Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Syed Hasan secured a combined $7.2 million in grant funding for groundbreaking cybersecurity research.
Liu emphasized that Tech鈥檚 burgeoning research portfolio provides meaningful opportunities for students, many of whom gain firsthand research experience beginning in their freshman year.
鈥淭hese research grants create experiential learning opportunities for students and enhance student success as the next generation of societal leaders,鈥� continued Liu. 鈥淢uch of our research programs are highly relevant to meeting real world challenges, and the funding provides vital support for technology development and applications to the Tennessee economy.鈥�
Tech鈥檚 record performance comes as Liu has transitioned in recent weeks to an added role as interim provost, beyond his day-to-day duties as vice president for research.
Liu tapped Michael Aikens, Tech鈥檚 assistant vice president for economic development, to oversee university research during this period of transition.
On campus, Aikens is best known for leading Tech鈥檚 Center for Rural Innovation & Rural Reimagined, part of Tech鈥檚 research division dedicated to helping rural, distressed and at-risk counties with small business assistance, tourism branding support, economic impact studies and poverty alleviation.
Today, the program is active in 75 Tennessee counties 鈥� including the 10 state counties designated as distressed counties by the Appalachian Regional Commission 鈥� and has been recognized by Gov. Bill Lee and state lawmakers for its positive results with $1 million in recurring funding in the state budget.
Aikens says Tech鈥檚 growth in research is a byproduct of a university culture that encourages academic discovery and real-world problem solving.
鈥溌槎构炒� fosters a collaborative and supportive culture that encourages curiosity and innovation,鈥� said Aikens. 鈥淥ur faculty are empowered with resources and mentorship to pursue bold research questions, while students are actively engaged through hands-on opportunities. This environment鈥攂uilt on teamwork, access to cutting-edge facilities, and a commitment to real-world impact鈥攈elps both faculty and students thrive as problem solvers.鈥�
Looking ahead, Liu and Aikens say they want to build on Tech鈥檚 gains over the coming year.
鈥溌槎构炒� is on the rise, so is its research,鈥� said Liu. 鈥淲e will continue the growth trend of research funding and research enterprise at 麻豆果冻传媒, with the understanding that both technological and research funding trends are rapidly evolving. We are confident that 麻豆果冻传媒 will grasp the opportunity and find its paths toward greater success.鈥�
Tech is recognized as an R2 doctoral, high-research activity university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and was designated as an 鈥�opportunity鈥� university by Carnegie earlier this year for its dual qualities of higher access and higher earnings for graduates.
Outside of its research accolades, Tech is also rated as the number one public university in Tennessee by Money and ranked as a 鈥淏est National University鈥� by U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more about research at Tech by visiting www.tntech.edu/research.