Press Release 13-015
Academic Institutions Added More Science and Engineering Research Space in Last Several Years

Biomedical fields account for majority of growth

Doctorate-granting institutions experienced net growth in research space. Credit and Larger Version

February 1, 2013

Science and Engineering research space at the nation's research-performing colleges and universities increased 3.5 percent from fiscal year (FY) 2009 to FY 2011, growing to 202.9 million net assignable square feet (NASF), according to recent data from the National Science Foundation's Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities.

The biological and biomedical sciences (54.3 million NASF in FY 2011) continued to account for the bulk of growth, increasing by 8.0 percent during the same time period. This follows a 12.3 percent increase for this field from FY 2007 to FY 2009. Doctorate-granting institutions experienced net growth in research space, whereas non-doctorate granting institutions saw a decline in research space from FY 2009 to FY 2011.

For more information on this report, please contact Michael Gibbons.

Please visit the NSF's National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics for more reports and other products.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Deborah Wing, NSF (703) 292-5344 dwing@nsf.gov

Program Contacts
Michael Gibbons, NSF (703) 292-4590 mgibbons@nsf.gov

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, its budget is $7.0 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards nearly $420 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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