UArizona Sees Tremendous Growth on Latest Rankings for NIH Funding

TUCSON, Ariz. – According to recently published rankings compiled by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research based on the most current National Institutes of Health (NIH) data, the University of Arizona was awarded $147 million in grants from the NIH in 2019, ranking 60th among NIH-funded institutions in the nation. Of that, $128 million was received by the University of Arizona Health Sciences.

The NIH is the leading supporter of biomedical research in the world. Its highly competitive funding awards support UArizona Health Sciences researchers in the Colleges of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, as well as multiple affiliated institutes and centers of excellence.

• The UArizona Colleges of Medicine rank 47th in the United States, with $111 million received by the College of Medicine – Tucson and $2.3 million received by investigators at the College of Medicine – Phoenix. This is up four spots and $20.5 million from the $93 million garnered in 2018.
• The UArizona College of Pharmacy had the most impressive rise and now ranks 13th in the nation, receiving $8.2 million in 2019, up from 29th and $5 million in 2018.
• The UArizona College of Nursing ranked 39th and received $1.3 million.
• The UArizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health ranked 30th with an increase in funding to $5.2 million.

The overall NIH award figure for the UArizona is up from $75,860,123 in 2015, when the university ranked 74th in the nation on the Blue Ridge index. This index tracks yearly NIH funding awards from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. The rankings are determined by the whole value of awards to a principal investigator’s institution. Results are released between December and February.

“These prestigious NIH awards are a testament to the groundbreaking research we are pursuing at the UArizona Health Sciences,” said Michael Dake, MD, senior vice president for health sciences. “Our remarkable growth in research funding is another sign that we are an emerging destination for outstanding research and education.”

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NOTE: Image/infographic available upon request.

About the University of Arizona Health Sciences
The University of Arizona Health Sciences is the statewide leader in biomedical research and health professions training. UArizona Health Sciences includes the Colleges of Medicine (Tucson and Phoenix), Nursing, Pharmacy, and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, with main campus locations in Tucson and the Phoenix Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix. From these vantage points, Health Sciences reaches across the state of Arizona, the greater Southwest and around the world to provide next-generation education, research and outreach. A major economic engine, Health Sciences employs nearly 5,000 people, has approximately 4,000 students and 900 faculty members, and garners $200 million in research grants and contracts annually. For more information: uahs.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram).

Media Contact: Gerri Kelly