Iowa State University researchers attracted $301.3 million for the 2023 fiscal year that ended June 30, topping $300 million for the first time and setting the university’s record for annual external, sponsored research funding. The new record beat the previous record of $284.2 million, set in fiscal year 2022, by 6%. The new research total also includes records for federal research funding, $206.9 million, and nonfederal research funding, $94.4 million. The previous records, also set in fiscal year 2022, were $198.2 million for federal support and $86 million for nonfederal support. Overall, Iowa State attracted $530.5 million in external funding during the last fiscal year. That’s a drop from fiscal year 2022’s record of $601.7 million. External funding supports initiatives across campus, including research projects, academic support, scholarships and facility improvements. The funding can include contracts, awards and cooperative agreements from federal, state and local governments, as well as from individuals, corporations, nonprofits and other universities.