Texas A&M Galveston Breaks Institution’s Record for Research Funding    

Texas A&M University at Galveston posted a 25-percent increase in annual research expenditures for fiscal year 2015 breaking the institutions record for research funding.  The institution conducted $7.798 million in research, an increase of $1.551 million from fiscal 2014 and a record for the university in research funding.

The Galveston campus is bound to see research expenditures increase substantially in the coming years.  In FY 15, the campus was awarded $18 million in multiyear research contracts, a 400% increase from the prior year.

“During the 2014-2015 academic year, Texas A&M Galveston’s faculty have done an outstanding job at moving our institution significantly closer to meet the scholarship goals of Texas A&M University,” said Dr. Patrick Louchouarn, Executive Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer.  “This extraordinary achievement is due in part to the award of a number of very large grants which speak to the preeminence our faculty have on their field.  But in addition, Texas A&M Galveston researchers received funding from highly competitive federal programs leading to the most successful year of research fundraising in the institution’s history.”

Research expenditures are used to measure the annual progress a university is achieving when compared with other universities.  The research dollars are received from foundations and corporations, as well as local, state, federal and international sources seeking solutions and knowledge that is gained through scientific research of a particular area or interest.

“The growth in research partly reflects the investment in new hires which have hit the ground running in developing their research programs,” said Dr. Antonietta Quigg, Associate Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies.  “It’s an exciting time to be on campus. In response we are investing strategically in new equipment and resources. The new faculty have injected much promise for a bright future, with expanded areas of expertise, new partnerships and growth of the graduate students.”

Research spending is down nationwide, yet this dramatic increase represents the major strides Texas A&M Galveston has made in the past year.  This shows the institution’s research scientists are achieving recognition for using these funds and finding the solutions to critical issues that affect our state, nation and the world.