SOUTH BEND — The University of Notre Dame has received $138.1 million in research funding for fiscal year 2017, surpassing the previous record of $133.7 million set in fiscal year 2015.
Additionally, the university also broke its monthly record — receiving $27.6 million in June alone.
In a release, the Rev. John I. Jenkins, university president, credited the efforts of the faculty as well as the work of Robert Bernhard, vice president of research. "It advances Notre Dame's reputation as a national research university, and it represents a welcome infusion of spending in South Bend," he said.
Approximately 57.8 percent of the research awards came from federal funding, while 26.9 percent came from foundations or other sponsors, and 15.3 percent came from industry.
Notre Dame’s continued commitment to growing and expanding its research programs is paying off locally as well, with approximately 75 percent of external research funds expended in the local community, the university said.
The Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory, which opened in downtown South Bend’s Ignition Park in 2016, continues to grow and bring benefits to the area. In fiscal year 2017, the laboratory brought in nearly $7 million in research awards. Further, it has hired over 40 employees — recruiting technical experts from both the Michiana region as well as internationally — and has plans to continue to grow its staffing levels.