RIT sets new record by securing 105 million dollars in sponsored research funding during fiscal year 2025

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology is celebrating a new milestone in its pursuit of research excellence. For fiscal year 2025, the university secured $105 million in sponsored research funding, the highest in its history. The record achievement underscores RIT’s expanding role as a hub for innovation and discovery, drawing recognition and support from national agencies, industry partners, and interdisciplinary initiatives across campus.

The year brought several key breakthroughs. Among them, RIT reached a record level of National Science Foundation awards, surpassing $21 million. Faculty submitted 30 NSF CAREER Award applications, more than ever before, and two of those efforts resulted in wins for rising stars. Assistant Professor Shima Parsa from the College of Science and Associate Professor Rui Liu from the Kate Gleason College of Engineering earned CAREER Award honors, cementing RIT’s reputation as a place where young faculty are shaping the future of research.

“The breadth and depth of our university researchers showcases the innovation that continues to propel RIT forward and move us into a new category of research excellence,” said Ryne Raffaelle, vice president for Research. “These new levels of sponsored activity demonstrate that the research work of our faculty is worthy of national and international recognition, even in such a challenging times for federal research funding.”

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Federal sources played a pivotal role, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all awards received. This support has allowed RIT to strengthen its research portfolio in critical areas, ranging from advanced manufacturing and quantum technologies to healthcare and artificial intelligence. It also signals strong confidence from funding agencies in the quality and potential of RIT’s projects.

Within the university, the Kate Gleason College of Engineering led the way, bringing in more than $20 million in sponsored awards. Meanwhile, the College of Science stood out for its research activity, submitting over 200 proposals in a single year—a sign of the energy and commitment of its faculty.

“Our faculty is conducting research on the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing, semiconductor and quantum technologies, biomedical and healthcare engineering, artificial intelligence, and much more,” said Doreen Edwards, dean of the College of Engineering. “In addition, our master’s and Ph.D. students are working side-by-side with our faculty. This environment is rich with opportunities to develop the next generation of engineers who will carry this research to the next level.”

Graduate students, especially those at the doctoral level, have become deeply embedded in RIT’s research culture. Their hands-on work alongside faculty researchers ensures that new knowledge does not remain abstract but translates into tangible skills, preparing students for careers that bridge academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.

Several interdisciplinary centers also reached new highs in sponsored support. The K-12 University Center, Battery Development Center, NanoPower Research Labs, and Personalized Healthcare Technology program each exceeded $7 million in external funding. These centers bring together faculty from different disciplines to address some of society’s most pressing challenges, from renewable energy and health innovations to education and workforce development.

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The record-setting year is not just about numbers—it represents a growing recognition of RIT’s capacity to deliver impactful research at the national and international level. As the university continues to expand its partnerships, invest in its faculty, and engage students in the discovery process, it is positioning itself as a leader in fields that will shape the next generation of technology and society.

Added Raffaelle: “Looking ahead, we are energized and driven to advance and support our faculty researchers to win research awards that allow them to advance their disciplines and create technologies and findings that have the potential to improve our world.”

For RIT, the momentum of fiscal year 2025 offers a glimpse of what’s possible in the years to come. With faculty and students working at the intersection of science, engineering, and applied innovation, the university is setting a course for sustained growth in research and discovery that extends far beyond its campus.