The University Record, February 25, 1998

By Jane R. Elgass

“It’s always good to see the ‘Block M’ number one,” Frederick Neidhardt said last week in announcing that the U-M has placed first in National Science Foundation rankings of research expenditures for the sixth year in a row.

The $469 million in expenditures in FY 1996 represent a 5.8 percent increase over FY 1995 figures, said Neidhardt, who is vice president for research. “I didn’t know the percentage change would be so favorable. It’s a sign of good health and the result of the ability of many disciplines to come together and collaborate.”

Neidhardt announced the ranking at the Regents’ meeting, where he also noted the changed environment at the nation’s capital with respect to support of basic research.

“Both parties are stumbling over each other to be in front in support of basic research,” he said, cautioning, however, that none of the hard decisions regarding appropriations have been made.

“They are little more than hollow resolutions, but fine to hear nonetheless.”

National Science Foundation Rankings Research Expenditures
	FY 1996	FY 1995	% Change
U-M	$469M	$443M	5.8%
Wisconsin, Madison	413M	404M	2.2
Washington	406M	389M	4.5
MIT*	381M	371	2.7
UC, San Diego	372M	357M	4.0
Texas A&M	367M	363M	1.2
Johns Hopkins*	363M	355M	2.5
UCLA	355M	304M	16.8
Minnesota	341M	337M	1.4
Cornell	340M	344M	-1.2
*Totals excluse R&D expenditures at university-associated federally funded research and development centers. From the Office of the Vice President for Research

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