СÓÅÊÓƵ

СÓÅÊÓƵ reports record research and development expenditures in FY24

February 20, 2026

Each year, the National Science Foundation conducts the Higher Education Research and Development Survey, which tracks research and development (R&D) expenditures at colleges and universities nationwide. The survey is used in national rankings, federal program eligibility and institutional comparisons.

According to data summarized by the University of Alaska (СÓÅÊÓƵ) Federal Relations team, the СÓÅÊÓƵ system reported $273.3 million in total research and development expenditures in federal fiscal year 2024, the highest total ever reported by the system.

FY24 key takeaways

• $273.3 million in total R&D expenditures
• 14% increase from FY23
• 55% increase over the past five years

The University of Alaska Anchorage (СÓÅÊÓƵA) reported $24.649 million and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (СÓÅÊÓƵF) reported $246.295 million, both the highest totals in their histories. The University of Alaska Southeast (СÓÅÊÓƵS) reported $2.398 million, its second-highest total.

СÓÅÊÓƵF accounted for approximately 90% of total СÓÅÊÓƵ system R&D expenditures in FY24.

Funding sources

Federal agency funding accounted for $184.6 million, or 68% of total СÓÅÊÓƵ system R&D expenditures in FY24. At СÓÅÊÓƵF, federal funding accounted for 69% of total R&D expenditures.

Federal and institutional funds combined accounted for approximately 88% of total СÓÅÊÓƵ system R&D expenditures.

The top federal sponsors of СÓÅÊÓƵ system R&D in FY24 were:

• National Science Foundation (NSF): $55.1 million
• Department of Defense (DoD): $39.6 million
• NASA: $28.2 million

NSF, DoD and NASA together accounted for approximately 45% of total СÓÅÊÓƵ system R&D expenditures.

National rankings and comparisons

СÓÅÊÓƵF ranks in the top 15% among all universities in R&D expenditures and No. 86 among public universities.

СÓÅÊÓƵF ranks No. 17 nationally in NASA-sponsored R&D and No. 43 in NSF-sponsored R&D.

In geosciences R&D, СÓÅÊÓƵF ranks fifth nationally and is one of two institutions in the country that ranks in the top 15 in key geosciences disciplines.

СÓÅÊÓƵ accounts for approximately 99% of all academic R&D expenditures reported in Alaska. The СÓÅÊÓƵ system conducts more research than all universities combined in Vermont, Maine, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota.