External grants and contracts worth $29.7 million in fiscal year (FY) 2020 made hundreds of research, education and service projects possible at Missouri State University.

Faculty and staff submitted 348 proposals to address the needs of communities, schools and businesses in southwest Missouri and beyond. Federal agencies remain the top funder, followed by state and nonprofit sponsors.

Rachel McGinnis, director of research administration at Missouri State, said the impressive external funding numbers can only be attributed to engaged faculty and staff, and their dedication to exploring and applying for numerous research, service and education opportunities.

“Many people work on several proposals, and receive denials, but never give up. They continue submitting until they’re awarded funding to complete the projects that interest them and give our students outstanding opportunities,” McGinnis added.

View the FY2020 Research Report

Highlights of the awards

The FY2020 awards cover a variety of projects, such as studying plants and animals, creating training programs, offering consultation expertise, and advancing entrepreneurial capacity. Some highlights include:

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: To provide audiological consultation services to the department’s Newborn Hearing Screening Program.
• National Science Foundation: To research the genetic and molecular basis of communication between the rootstock and the scion in grapevine.
• U.S. Department of Commerce: To expand the existing efactory facility.
• U.S. Department of Education: To improve English Language Teaching in the Ozarks.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: To develop a watershed management plan for Lake Taneycomo through a partnership with the Ozarks Water Watch.
• Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries: To evaluate the Northern Snakehead from its point of origin, and tributary contribution by Virginia tributaries to Potomac River basin population.