UMBC’s national rankings in federal research funding are on the rise based on the NSF’s latest Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey results, which includes the university being ranked among the nation’s top 10 institutions to receive NASA funding.

The annual HERD survey, conducted by the NSF’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, collects information on research and development (R&D) expenditures by field of research and source of funds and also gathers information on types of research, expenses, and headcounts of R&D personnel. In the latest HERD survey report published in November that compares fiscal year 2023 data, UMBC was ranked #10 in the country in NASA expenditures, a six-spot increase over the previous year’s HERD report. UMBC’s collaboration with NASA in 2024 has resulted in impactful research advances and contributions to active space missions. 

“We have been collaborating with our colleagues at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for three decades now, and today, about 250 UMBC scientists, research faculty, and students are working closely with their civil servant counterparts at Goddard,” says Karl V. Steiner, vice president for research and creative achievement. “All of us are delighted and proud by this top 10 recognition.”

In addition, UMBC has seen improvements in R&D rankings across several disciplines, of which includes the university’s #20 ranking in federal funding for geosciences, atmospheric sciences, and ocean sciences, jumping 13 slots from its 2022 ranking. The university has also seen improvement in federal support for computer and information sciences (now ranked at #54), as well as federal funding for physical sciences (now ranked at #55). 

Overall, the university is now ranked within the top 100 public universities to receive federal research supporting, climbing 11 spots to its new ranking at #96. 

“Over the past two years, our HERD expenditures have increased by more than 70 percent, from $84 million reported in 2021 to $144 million in 2023,” Steiner explains. “This growth, and the corresponding improvement in national rankings, are a direct result of more than a decade focused on developing a true research culture across the campus community, as well as working with faculty members and institutional leaders to provide the research infrastructure needed to support our growing aspirations as a Carnegie R1 institution.”

Review more of UMBC’s research and development expenditure funding in Inquiring Minds, UMBC’s research and creative achievement annual report. 

The Education Abroad Office has announced an upcoming Study Abroad 101 session, happening online on January 7. From their myUMBC post: 

Study Abroad 101 is the first step to studying abroad at UMBC! Attend this session to learn the basics such as different program options, study abroad scholarships, and how to find programs through our website.

If you've been contemplating Study Abroad, but aren't sure how it works, where to go, or how to fund it, this is a great opportunity to answer those questions! 

Visit the Study Abroad Office's myUMBC post for the sign-up link.