Copyright M Live Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MI — The University of Michigan spent a record-breaking amount on new interdisciplinary research initiatives during fiscal year 2025. The initiatives totaled $2.16 billion, according to a Nov. 11 University Record update. The update states that this is one of the highest research totals in the country. “Michigan’s research expenditures are more than just a number,” Arthur Lupia, UM vice president for research and innovation, said. “They represent U-M’s leadership in improving health, advancing technologies and serving as a trusted partner for the most important challenges of our time.” New initiatives from the UM Office of the Vice President for Research include Impact Institutes, which provides starting funds to launch and strengthen new research centers, and Building Better Futures, which gives grants to groups tackling societal challenges. The office released its annual report this week, which details its expenditures and awards. The record total comes amid the Trump administration’s nationwide efforts to cut federal research funding in higher education, particularly for diversity and equity initiatives. The federal administration has cut off tens of millions of dollars in promised funding from Michigan’s public universities. Read more: Michigan universities have lost millions in grant funding. They could lose billions more. Research funding cuts have “disturbed" UM faculty and administrators. Federal research funding, mostly from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, totaled $1.25 billion in fiscal year 2025. UM officials expect this amount to drop in 2026 due to federal research funding cuts. UM also reports a record $699 million in internal investments to grow its research partnerships, according to the University Record update, a 5.3% increase since 2024. Current UM projects include developing new cancer treatments, making the Internet safer for children and finding new ways to treat chronic pain. Non-federal funding, which includes private funds from corporations and foundations, reached a record $213 million in fiscal year 2025, according to the update. Innovation Partnerships, a unit in the Office of the Vice President for Research that advances UM research for commercial markets, helped launch 31 start-ups and received a record 673 new invention disclosures in fiscal year 2025, the update states. “Our research community brings together world-class expertise and a shared commitment to public service,” UM Interim President Domenico Grasso said in the update. “Through interdisciplinary collaboration and purposeful investment, U-M continues to drive progress in a rapidly changing research environment.” The university has raised over $4 billion as part of its Look to Michigan fundraising campaign, UM spokesperson Kay Jarvis said Sept. 4. The school has reached 57% of its larger $7 billion goal, Jarvis said at the time. The university publicly launched Look to Michigan, originally known as Vision 2034, in October 2024 as a donation plan to support its three UM campuses, Michigan athletics, its Michigan Medicine academic medical center and more.
