Iowa State University took in $342.3 million in grants, contracts, gifts and cooperative agreements during fiscal year 2011, ended June 30, the university announced, a decrease of $45.9 million, or 12 percent, from last year’s record high.

Much of the drop from the $388.2 million total in fiscal 2010 can be attributed to the expiration of federal stimulus programs and other decreases in federal funding, said Sharron Quisenberry, ISU vice president for research and economic development, in a press release.

The external funding is in addition to the state’s appropriation of $228 million for day-to-day operations.