The University of California, Davis, has reported receiving $961 million in external research awards for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The funding comes from federal and state agencies as well as industry partners and will support a wide range of research activities at the university.
“For the last four years, UC Davis has averaged more than $1 billion in research funding, which demonstrates how we play a vital role in building our region’s economy and contribute to our nation’s global leadership in technology and innovation,” said Chancellor Gary S. May. “The world looks to UC Davis to find solutions to global challenges and create a healthier, more sustainable future.”
Research at UC Davis spans several fields including healthcare, food supply, energy solutions, and education. Recent grants include one from the U.S. National Science Foundation to study how artificial intelligence can assist decision-making during wildfires. Another grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases will investigate how Type 1 diabetes affects children’s cognitive functions.
Some projects focus on public health preparedness; for example, funding from the California Department of Public Health supports planning for national stockpile management during disasters.
UC Davis has also seen an increase in technological innovation. In the last fiscal year, the university filed 187 records of invention (ROIs), up 34% from 140 ROIs filed previously.
University officials note that research activities at UC Davis generate significant economic impact within California by supporting $2 billion in related economic activity and nearly 10,000 jobs.
Grants are also being used to prepare future leaders. A National Science Foundation award will help train bioindustrial engineering students focused on food security and sustainability. Another grant will help launch the California Center for Food Safety, aimed at assisting growers with compliance to food safety standards while maintaining sustainable operations.
A full account of these initiatives is available in the annual Research Impact Report published by UC Davis.
This year’s overall research funding decreased by $78 million compared to last year. Federal agencies provided $450 million—an increase of $9 million—while state funding was $209 million (down by $29 million). Industry partners contributed $90 million, which is a decrease of $5 million from the previous year. More details are available in the Research Impact Report.
The figures represent obligated amounts as of this report’s publication date. University administrators say recent changes in federal administration have resulted in multiple notifications about specific grants or projects; however, they caution that ongoing changes could affect budgets over time.
“Investments in research leveraging the expertise and resources at UC Davis yield tremendous advancements that ultimately improve our quality of life and future,” said Simon Atkinson, vice chancellor for research. “Funding by federal and state agencies are particularly vital to ensure these breakthroughs continue. Together they provide 69% percent of all funding.”
Within UC Davis, the School of Medicine received $332 million (down $71 million), followed by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences with $252 million (up $82 million) and the College of Engineering with $99 million (down $18 million). Other major recipients included Veterinary Medicine ($56 million), Office of Research ($55 million), Letters and Science ($52 million), Biological Sciences ($49 million), Continuing and Professional Education ($36 million), Education ($11 million) and Nursing ($5 million).
