A new report provides compelling evidence that university research is beginning to significantly expand its role in innovation. The report’s data show that Canada’s top 50 research universities received nearly $2.8 billion in sponsored research funding in FY00, an increase of almost 24% over FY99. That was accompanied by a corresponding jump in research intensity (sponsored research income per full-time faculty position), up 23% from $69,600 in FY99 to $85,900 in FY00. As expected, the Univ of Toronto received the most sponsored research income of any single institution, 47% more than its closest rival, the Univ of Montreal.

But when it comes to research intensity, McGill Univ holds the top spot, while U of T ranks fifth among full service universities. The data also show that universities with medical schools and affiliated teaching hospitals dominate the ranking, holding all 10 top positions in the top 50 and 14 of the top 15 positions. Only the Univ of Guelph prevents a clean sweep by grabbing the 11th spot, although much of its research funding is devoted to animal rather than human health.

The top 10 universities account for $1.87 billion or 68% of top-50 sponsored research, but smaller institutions have apparently been holding their own. The remaining 40 institutions account for 32% of research income, but that’s up 23% from the previous year. In terms of research intensity, the second- and third-tier universities also grew at twice the rate of their larger counterparts, although from a much smaller base.

The Top 50 data are taken from Canada’s Top Research Universities Report — a forthcoming study slated for release in late November. The findings are based on new data generated by Statistics Canada on behalf of the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO). The full report is produced by Research Infosource, a division of The Impact Group and an affiliate company of Research Money. While it will contain data on 67 universities, the top 50 capture 99.6% of sponsored research funding and provide a dramatic picture of increasing financial contributions by federal and provincial governments as well as non-government sources. Sponsored research encompasses cash funding from granting agencies, contracts, contributions, donations and bequests.

“The 1990s were a time of retrenchment for university research, but we’re now in a renaissance period. A 24% year-over-year jump is enormous,” says Ron Freedman, Research Infosource president and publisher of Research Money. “This is the first and only comprehensive picture of university funding. There’s never been a thorough analysis of university income and trends before. There’s a particular emphasis on real dollars and the report will show where the whole system is situated, where things are trending and why.”

The total of sponsored research only takes into account cash funding and does not include funds that the universities are contributing to their research activities. The latter accounted for $1 billion in 1998 and is likely even higher now.

Freedman acknowledges that the 24% year-over-year increase in research funding is partly due to a consolidation by most universities of research income received by affiliated teaching hospitals. But he notes that the size of the increase can’t be attributed to a re-stating of the numbers alone.

“Some portion is attributable to that but 24% leaves enough margin to say it’s still a hefty increase,” says Freedman. “For the first time we’re starting to see the impact of programs like the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and many are tied to matching provincial programs. And non-profit funding is particularly significant in the medical area. Donations and bequests are more than many people may appreciate.”

FMI: www.researchinfosource.com

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