University research drives U.S. innovation, and Georgia Institute of Technology is leading the way.
The latest Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey from the National Science Foundation (NSF) places Georgia Tech as No. 2 nationally for federally sponsored research expenditures in 2024. This is Georgia Tech’s highest-ever ranking from the NSF HERD survey and a 70% increase over the Institute's 2019 numbers.
In total expenditures from all externally funded dollars (including the federal government, foundations, industry, etc.), Georgia Tech is ranked at No. 6.
Tech remains ranked No. 1 among universities without a medical school — a major accomplishment, as medical schools account for a quarter of all research expenditures nationally.
“Georgia Tech’s rise to No. 2 in federally sponsored research expenditures reflects the extraordinary talent and commitment of our faculty, staff, students, and partners. This achievement demonstrates the confidence federal agencies have in our ability to deliver transformative research that addresses the nation’s most critical challenges,” said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research.
Overall, the state of Georgia maintained its No. 8 position in university research and development, and for the first time, the state topped the $4 billion mark in research expenditures. Georgia Tech provides $1.5 billion, the largest state university contribution. In the last five years, federal funding for higher education research in the state of Georgia has grown an astounding 46% — 10 points higher than the U.S. rate.
Lieuwen said, “Georgia Tech is proud to lead the state in research contributions, helping Georgia surpass the $4 billion mark for the first time. Our work doesn’t just advance knowledge — it saves lives, creates jobs, and strengthens national security. This growth reflects our commitment to drive innovation that benefits Georgia, our country, and the world.”
The NSF HERD Survey is an annual census of U.S. colleges and universities that expended at least $150,000 in separately accounted for research and development (R&D) in the fiscal year. The survey collects information on 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.
The research enterprise at Georgia Tech is led by the Executive Vice President for Research, Tim Lieuwen, and directs a portfolio of research, development, and sponsored activities. This includes leadership of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), the Enterprise Innovation Institute, 11 interdisciplinary research institutes (IRIs), Office of Commercialization, Office of Corporate Engagement, plus research centers, and related research administrative support units. Georgia Tech routinely ranks among the top U.S. universities in volume of research conducted.