UCCS faculty brought in $18.3 million in sponsored research funding in 2019-20, generated more than 800 research and creative works and increased the number of new sponsored programs awarded by 25 percent in the last fiscal year.
The CU system announced the numbers in celebration of the past year of research, which brought in $1.41 billion in annual sponsored research funding and gifts across its four campuses. The final number is on par with the previous year’s $1.47 billion total, which remains a record for CU.
“Our UCCS research community continues to inspire and impress,” said Jessi Smith, associate vice chancellor for research. “With all of the stresses and ambiguity we’ve faced this year, our researchers have continued to push forward despite the odds. I am so proud and humbled by everyone’s remarkable efforts to support each other while making meaningful contributions to their field. We are so fortunate to have such a wide variety of scholars on our campus who create, innovate, discover and lay the foundation for the next generation of thinkers and makers.”
UCCS faculty researchers produced 263 journal articles, presented 43 artistic exhibitions, published 26 books, contributed 102 chapters and gave 394 peer-reviewed publications in 2019. Student research was showcased at the Mountain Lion Research Day, the Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum and the Graduate School Research Showcase. More than $80,000 was awarded for faculty research projects, and more than $35,000 supported the Undergraduate Research Academy.
In the past academic year, UCCS created the Faculty Research Travel Support Programs, which offers competitive funding for faculty to attend conferences – including virtual offerings – and visit research sites that will enhance their contributions to the university and students. UCCS also established the Undergraduate Research Travel Awards, offering funding on a rolling basis for students presenting in-person and virtually at peer-reviewed conferences.
UCCS also celebrated three faculty members earning prestigious Fulbright Awards, awarded its first Outstanding Research Mentorship Award and honored five faculty members who were inducted into the 5 Million Dollar Club and 1 Million Dollar Club for sponsored research.
“The research funding our prolific faculty bring in has a tremendous economic ripple effect on our state, but more important, it allows them to continue their excellent work addressing some of society’s most pressing issues in energy, health care, climate change, space, cybersecurity and more,” said CU President Mark Kennedy.
Sponsored research funding from federal, state and local entities targets specific projects to advance research in laboratories and in the field. Research funding also helps pay for research-related capital improvements, scientific equipment, travel and salaries for research and support staff and student assistantships. CU cannot divert this funding to non-research-related expenses.
Learn more about UCCS’ research in the 2019-20 academic year through the Office of Research website.