University of Utah Health surpassed the half-billion-dollar mark in research funding for fiscal year 2025, reaching $531 million by June 30. Securing competitive funding is essential to the University of Utah's mission of delivering exceptional societal impact. These investments fuel research, advance knowledge, improve health in Utah and worldwide, and support the training of future scientific leaders.
Research activity in the health sciences continues an upward trajectory-growing 24% over the past five years and more than doubling since FY14. In FY25, health sciences funding represented 68% of the University's total research portfolio, totaling $782 million. Across the health sciences, 755 principal investigators received 1,835 awards.
Rachel Hess, MD, MS, system chief research officer for U of U Health noted that faculty submitted $2.3 billion in research proposals in FY25-an increase of $500 million compared to the previous year and a testament to the perseverance of the research community, she said.
The National Institutes of Health continues to be the largest source of research support for U of U Health, providing $264.1 million in FY25. Industry partnerships made up the second-largest funding category, followed by other federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Defense. Additional contributions from the state, other universities, and foundations totaled $110.7 million.
Beyond federal and agency funding, philanthropic investments played a crucial role in launching new ideas and early-stage innovations-helping promising projects mature enough to qualify for traditional funding sources.
"Despite ongoing uncertainties, our researchers have remained resilient and are remarkably hardworking. They have have an extraordinary dedication and passion to improve lives in our state and around the world."
These combined investments are propelling U of U Health-led initiatives that address some of society's most urgent challenges, including:
- Preventing Poor Oral Health
An NIH Sustaining Outstanding Achievements in Research (SOAR) Award is backing investigations into intersecting factors that influence oral health in individuals and populations, such as dental anxiety and access to care. By identifying barriers they will be able to develop solutions.
- Blood Pressure and Brain Health
High blood pressure is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors for dementia. A $21.6 million NIH grant is supporting a multi-pronged approach to understand how high blood pressure affects the brain, and how blood pressure management strategies might help.
- Advancing Treatments for Veterans
A new study is examining whether acupuncture can reduce pain and improve daily function in veterans affected by Gulf War Illness. The Department of Defense funded study will also assess biological changes linked to treatment response.
- Environmental Impacts on Health
An NIH New Innovator Awards is backing development of a blood test that can tell how a variety of environmental factors affect they body's organs- such as how air quality impacts lungs and how diet changes gut health.
- Reducing Childhood Obesity
Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Mountain West Prevention Research Center is a U of U Health-led, six-state collaboration that is partnering with rural communities to reduce childhood obesity through health promotion and lifestyle intervention.
