Despite significant changes in the federal funding landscape, external awards and research funding held steady at UNMC in 2025, as UNMC concluded the fiscal year with $223 million in sponsored awards, $171 million of which was related to research.
The awarded funding represented less than a percentage change from fiscal year 2024, said Ken Bayles, PhD, UNMC’s vice chancellor for research.
Federal grants and contracts saw a 16% reduction from year end 2024, in addition to a relatively modest 8% reduction in federal subcontracts. However, these reductions were offset by the near doubling of the value of UNMC’s awarded industry grants and contracts.
“Additional growth in funding from other extramural sources – foundations and non-federal subcontracts from other institutions of higher education, for example – made up for the reduction in funding from federal sources,” Dr. Bayles said.
“We will continue to monitor these trends closely as we move into the first quarter of fiscal year 2026,” Dr. Bayles said. “However, it is encouraging to see that UNMC’s research efforts continue to be valued by government and industry funders.”
UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, said that UNMC recognized the importance of its research mission, even as uncertainty lies ahead.
“Our research mission is integral to our efforts to improve the health of our neighbors in Nebraska and beyond,” Dr. Davies said. “Although a great deal of our research traditionally has been supported by federal dollars, we are looking ahead and exploring ways to continue our research growth if federal support slows. This report underscores the need to examine other funding sources as we move forward.”