Jackson State University has exceeded its previous cycle by achieving a significant increase of 90.96% in sponsored research funding for the 2022 fiscal year. Pictured L to R: Victor Ogungbe, Ph.D., associate professor; Brandi Newkirk-Turner, Ph.D., associate provost and professor; Joseph A. Whittaker, VP of Research and Economic Development; and Sadik Khan, Ph.D., assistant professor.

This accomplishment is in line with the university’s strategic plan to enhance research prominence by expanding research capabilities and partnerships, driving innovation and economic development, and offering opportunities for impactful collaborative research.

The JSU Division of Research and Economic Development has reported a record-breaking $65,862,291 million in awards, without including funding from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized as part of the coronavirus response. Thus, JSU’s 2022 FY research revenue has exceeded $101,984,095.

JSU attributes this trend to various factors, such as increased funded projects, principal investigators, patent approvals, career development opportunities, and incentivized research.

The university has also witnessed a rise in innovation and commercialization activities, with the faculty excited about the chances of getting tenure and promotion credit by engaging in innovation and entrepreneurship.

To improve research capacity and achieve societal impact, JSU has expanded its collaborations with federal agencies, other research institutions, industry, and community organizations.

The university has received research awards from various sources, including government departments, state and local government, and foundations/industry.

Funding sources such as the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Engineer Research and Development Center of the Army Corps of Engineers have provided funding to Jackson State University for research. Moreover, the university has received two National Science Foundation CAREER awards.

JSU has made significant progress in public health, with Professor Girmay Berhie receiving a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Public Health Informatics and Technology (PHIT) Workforce Development Program.

Additionally, through Mississippi’s SMART Business Act Business Accelerator Initiative, two faculty inventors from the Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences each received $150,000.

An associate provost and professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders, has received four substantial grants, including the COVID Champions grant for $717,000, a CALIPSO grant for $1,064,708 (to be received over five years) from the U.S. Department of Education to support communicative disorders, $2.8 million from the Mississippi Governor’s Office to enhance public health by creating a pipeline to the profession, and $280,000 from the Woodland Hines Foundation to improve the general education pathway, promote educational equity, and eliminate barriers.

Jackson State University is committed to exploring new partnership opportunities, involving more faculty and students in research, and strengthening its capacity to drive growth and productivity sustainably. JSU’s researchers are actively engaged in research that significantly impacts society and the economy.

ICYMI: Congratulations to our researchers! The Division of Research and Economic Development achieved a record 90.96 percent increase in sponsored research totaling more than $65.8 million in awards. Read more here: https://t.co/ixXCYDtjM8 pic.twitter.com/k5OKCYOcB2

— Jackson State U. (@JacksonStateU) January 29, 2023

Leadership for Academic Affairs-generating 💰 in funding to support faculty, staff, & students as we roar into the future! Thank you to the Provost, Dr. Newkirk-Turner @drbnewturner and Dr. McNeil. #JSUElevate #HBCUs #STEM #STEAM #publichealth #studentsuccess https://t.co/aMUxl0NZNw

— Academic Affairs at Jackson State University (@JSUacademics) January 28, 2023