April 14, 2025
Federal research funding fuels innovation, economic growth
By Vanessa Vinson
Office of the Vice President for Research
Federal grants awarded to University of Michigan researchers help to drive innovation and economic growth, supporting thousands of jobs and generating millions in research-related spending across the United States.
According to the university’s latest research expenditure report, U-M spent over $332 million last year on goods and services needed to support federally funded projects. These expenditures benefited vendors in more than 700 U.S. counties, with Michigan-based companies receiving $97.7 million. Businesses in Washtenaw County accounted for the largest share, receiving $66.7 million to supply materials, equipment and services for U-M research.
U-M’s research spending reaches across Michigan, benefiting businesses all over the state. Businesses in all 13 Michigan Congressional districts receive direct research-related funding from U-M. Michigan’s 6th Congressional District in southeast Michigan saw the greatest economic benefit, with over $71 million in research spending.
The economic impact reports are based on data that U-M supplies to the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science, a national consortium of 32 research universities that are organized around an institutional review board-approved data repository. IRIS is based at U-M’s Institute for Social Research.
Jason Owen-Smith, Director of IRIS:
IRIS reports pull back the curtain on the resources and expertise that universities need — with support and partnership from federal agencies — to fuel discovery and innovation. Whether by purchasing equipment, hiring contractors or training early career researchers, universities are a source of everyday economic and social benefits to communities in every congressional district in the country.