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CU Boulder researchers attracted a record $742.2 million in fiscal year 2023–24 for studies and initiatives that, among other things, could lead to an end of osteoarthritis, better space weather predictions and a more climate-resilient American West.

The newly released sponsored research funding numbers for CU Boulder reflect a nearly 9% increase over the prior year.

The bulk of the research funding, or 67%, comes from federal agencies including NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Commerce, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. The state of Colorado contributed $17 million of the total. Nonprofits and international organizations supported CU Boulder research and creative work to the tune of $127 million; industry accounted for $29 million; and other universities provided $47 million of the funding.

The CU Boulder funding is part of the $1.7 billion awarded to all four system campuses in fiscal year 2023–24, representing a 7% increase over the previous year.

“We are thrilled that investment in our research and innovation enterprise continues to increase at a significant rate,” said Massimo Ruzzene, vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes. “These dollars fuel the success of our students and faculty and make possible important discoveries, novel innovations, creative connections with humanity and real-world solutions for people in Colorado, across the U.S. and around the world.”

At CU Boulder, here are a few research program highlights.

Promoting climate resilience in the West 

Early this year, the National Science Foundation announced the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine (CO-WY Engine) as a recipient of its inaugural Regional Innovation Engines program. The prestigious award totals up to $160 million over 10 years and positions the CO-WY Engine, in which CU Boulder is a key partner, at the forefront of the nation’s environmental and climate technology initiatives. Read more about the CO-WY Engine. 

Laying the groundwork for better space weather forecasts

A new, nearly $10 million center led by CU Boulder is undertaking research to make the region of space between Earth and the moon safer—potentially helping satellites navigate through this tumultuous and sometimes hazardous environment. This summer, NASA announced that it had selected four , including the Space Weather Operational Readiness Development (SWORD) center at CU Boulder. Read more about the Space Weather Operational Readiness Development (SWORD) Center. 

Imagining a day when joints can heal themselves 

This past year, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) awarded up to $39 million to a CU Boulder-led team of scientists to work toward eliminating painful osteoarthritis, which afflicts 32.5 million people. The program was the first created under ARPA-H, a new federal agency to support “high-impact solutions to society’s most challenging health problems.” Read more about NITRO. 

Paving the way for new quantum science discoveries

Last year, the U.S. National Science Foundation on the CU Boulder campus—paving the way for new discoveries around everything from the behavior of the humble electron to complex molecules. For nearly two decades, the JILA at CU Boulder has explored the physics of the cosmos at its smallest scales. Read more about the Physics Frontier Center. 

$1.7 billion in research dollars systemwide 

The 2023–24 systemwide total marks the eighth consecutive year that the CU system’s annual sponsored research funding and gifts have topped $1 billion.

A significant amount of sponsored research funding is directed to programs and researchers with unique expertise, such as biotechnology and aerospace, which stimulates industry.

Sponsored research funding from federal, state, international and foundation entities targets specific projects to advance research in laboratories and in the field. Research funding also helps pay for research-related capital improvements, scientific equipment, travel and salaries for research and support staff and student assistantships. CU cannot divert this funding to non-research-related expenses.