Arizona State University (ASU) has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $1 billion in annual research funding for the first time, according to the latest National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey. This accomplishment places ASU among the top 4% of research institutions in the United States, highlighting the university’s commitment to transforming research investments into tangible benefits for society.
ASU President Michael Crow expressed pride in this achievement, stating, “Surpassing $1 billion in research expenditures underscores our unwavering commitment to be a new gold standard of service to the community, our state, and our nation.” The university’s total research expenditures for fiscal year 2024 reached $1.003 billion, marking an eightfold increase since Crow took office in 2002.
ASU’s Ranking Among Top Universities
The HERD survey ranks ASU 37th overall among research institutions and 21st among public universities, surpassing notable competitors such as Michigan State University, Purdue University, and the University of Chicago. Notably, ASU ranks 5th among institutions without a medical school, ahead of the University of Colorado-Boulder, Purdue, and Princeton, demonstrating its broad research capabilities.
Recently, ASU’s John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering received preliminary accreditation, with its inaugural medical school class set to begin in the summer of 2026. This expansion into medical education is expected to further enhance ASU’s research landscape.
ASU’s innovative stature is further reflected in its rankings. The university has maintained the top position in innovation for the past 11 years, as reported by U.S. News & World Report, and has been recognized for its global impact towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals for six consecutive years by Times Higher Education.
Diverse Funding and Research Impact
The NSF’s HERD survey serves as a critical barometer for assessing research expenditures across hundreds of institutions. As a lagging indicator, it reflects conditions from nearly a year and a half ago, meaning recent funding developments are not yet accounted for. ASU receives funding from various sources, including federal agencies, state and local grants, and private organizations.
Sally C. Morton, executive vice president of ASU Knowledge Enterprise, noted the significance of this diverse funding portfolio. “Our rapid growth and achieving the $1 billion milestone reflects their confidence in our ability to deliver valuable results,” she explained.
Among the major grant providers, ASU ranks 14th in National Science Foundation funding, 10th in NASA expenditures, and 10th in funding from state and local governments. The university also excels in various academic disciplines, achieving top ten rankings in fields such as anthropology, education, and visual and performing arts.
ASU’s capacity to draw top-tier faculty, including six Nobel laureates and over 300 Fulbright U.S. Scholars, further enhances its research prowess. Students are integral to this process, with nearly 3,700 participating in paid research positions, gaining invaluable experience that fosters the next generation of innovators.
The research conducted at ASU has significant implications for communities locally and nationally. ASU researchers have developed artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve healthcare systems. For instance, the AI tool HLA-Inception decodes immune responses, potentially leading to personalized cancer treatments. Another tool, Ark+, enhances the accuracy of chest X-ray readings, benefiting healthcare providers and patients alike.
ASU’s impact extends to environmental conservation as well. Researchers are creating fishing gear that protects endangered ocean life while supporting local fishing communities. Innovations such as nets equipped with green LED lights have shown to reduce unintended captures significantly, preserving marine ecosystems.
The university is also addressing pressing community needs through initiatives like YouthMappers, which creates open-access geographic data to enhance local responses to challenges such as heat-related health issues and pedestrian safety in urban areas.
Moreover, ASU is pioneering advancements in space communication technology. A project funded by DARPA aims to develop the COCHON chip, designed to facilitate communication across satellites, which is crucial for national defense and commercial applications.
In response to evolving global priorities, ASU researchers are exploring new areas, including the intersection of food and health, the supply of critical minerals, and advancements in quantum science.
As ASU continues to shape its research initiatives in alignment with community and national needs, the focus remains on creating impactful solutions. “Research is essential to the thriving future we envision and the goals we all share,” Morton stated. “Guided by our charter, ASU will continue to create solutions that touch people’s everyday lives.”
