FRESNO STATE UNIVERSITY — Fresno State has once again broken its research funding record, this time with a staggering $78.3 million in grants and contracts awarded during the 2023-24 academic year – a 10.8% increase over the previous year. Additionally, it marks the sixth consecutive year that the university has broken funding records. These funds help support research, internships, mentorship programs, and new equipment for students and faculty.
Major grant funding fuels research growth
First, one of the major grants was awarded to Dr. Corey Brooks and his team in the Department of Biochemistry. Thanks to a $242,073 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), they were able to acquire a new surface plasmon resonance instrument platform. Dr. Brooks, who has taught at Fresno State since 2013, explained that this tool allows researchers to study protein interactions, which are of great importance to many fields, including biotechnology.
Prior to receiving this grant, Brooks had to work with other universities that had this specialized equipment. Now, with this new tool on campus, Fresno State can conduct this type of research on its own. This change therefore opens up even more opportunities for students and staff.
Impact on students and learning
Fresno State’s record research funding supports new opportunities for student learning and campus innovation.
Additionally, the new equipment provides a hands-on learning opportunity for students. According to Dr. Brooks, being able to train students how to use this tool is a big advantage.
“This is a really useful skill for someone wanting to work in biotech,” he said.
Students gain practical experience, making them more competitive when applying for jobs after graduation.
More grant funding to support major projects
In addition to Brooks’ grant, Fresno State has received several other major awards, including $5 million from the Mellon Foundation to create internships for humanities students, allowing them to put what they’ve learned in the classroom into practice in the real world.
Another notable grant is a $200,000 Andrew Carnegie Fellowship awarded to Dr. Lisa Bryant, professor of political science, who will use the funds to continue her research on political polarization.
Fresno State University’s Expanding Research
Secondly, Fresno State’s growing reputation for research has been recognized with the university earning an R2 designation as a “Doctoral University – High Research Activity” from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in 2022. This designation therefore highlights the university’s growing role in research and innovation, not only within the California State University system but also on a larger scale.
Looking to the future
Finally, Dr. Joy J. Goto, interim dean of the College of Research and Graduate Studies, expressed excitement about recent issues at Fresno State.
“Our faculty, staff and students are doing incredible work, and this record-breaking funding reflects our commitment to making a difference in academia and society,” she said.
These new funds will position Fresno State as a leader in research and innovation, paving the way for even greater success in the future.
For more information, please click here.
