UA reports record research and development expenditures in FY24

February 20, 2026
Each year, the National Science Foundation conducts the Higher Education Research and Development Survey, which tracks research and development (R&D) expenditures at colleges and universities nationwide. The survey is used in national rankings, federal program eligibility and institutional comparisons.

According to FY24 survey data summarized by the University of Alaska (UA) Federal Relations team, the UA system reported $273.3 million in total research and development expenditures in federal fiscal year 2024, the highest total ever reported by the system.

FY24 key takeaways

  • $273.3 million in total R&D expenditures
  • 14% increase from FY23
  • 55% increase over the past five years

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) reported $24.649 million and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) reported $246.295 million, both the highest totals in their histories. The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) reported $2.398 million, its second-highest total.

UAF accounted for approximately 90% of total UA system R&D expenditures in FY24.

Funding sources
Federal agency funding accounted for $184.6 million, or 68% of total UA system R&D expenditures in FY24. At UAF, federal funding accounted for 69% of total R&D expenditures.

Federal and institutional funds combined accounted for approximately 88% of total UA system R&D expenditures.

The top federal sponsors of UA system R&D in FY24 were:

  • National Science Foundation (NSF): $55.1 million
  • Department of Defense (DoD): $39.6 million
  • NASA: $28.2 million

NSF, DoD and NASA together accounted for approximately 45% of total UA system R&D expenditures.

National rankings and comparisons
UAF ranks in the top 15% among all universities in R&D expenditures and No. 86 among public universities.

UAF ranks No. 17 nationally in NASA-sponsored R&D and No. 43 in NSF-sponsored R&D.

In geosciences R&D, UAF ranks fifth nationally and is one of two institutions in the country that ranks in the top 15 in key geosciences disciplines.

UA accounts for approximately 99% of all academic R&D expenditures reported in Alaska. The UA system conducts more research than all universities combined in Vermont, Maine, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota.