UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution with more than 28,000 students, approximately 6,500 of whom are graduate/ professional students. The university is ranked in the category of “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Nearly 120 graduate degree programs are offered, including 38 doctoral and professional degrees. UNLV offers a broad range of respected academic programs and is increasingly recognized as a premier metropolitan research university.

Awards

In FY2009, UNLV received approximately $76.5 million in external award funding with nearly $40.1 million supporting research, including significant support from a number of federal agencies:

• Dept. of Energy–$12.3 million
• Dept. of Education–$9.0 million
• Dept. of Interior–$4.8 million
• Dept. of Agriculture–$3.3 million
• Dept. of Defense–$2.7 million

Top Five Academic Areas Receiving Research-Related Award Funding in FY2009

• Sciences–$11.5 million
• Engineering–$9.7 million
• Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies–$7.7 million
• Education–$7.0 million
• Research and Graduate Studies– $5.7 million

Award Funding By Sponsor Type in FY2009

• Federal–$55.7 million
• Federal Pass Through–$15.2 million
• State–$2.8 million
• Foundation/Corporate–$1.9 million
• Local–$828,000

Expenditures

Research expenditure data – the amount of funding expended for the purpose of research – is the gold standard for measurement of research activity in higher education. (See graph below.) It indicates the amount of external funding spent by faculty and staff to conduct research; hence, it accurately reflects the productivity of funded researchers. Sponsored program expenditure data reflects activity on all types of sponsored program projects, including those dedicated to instruction or public service, as well as research. Hence, research expenditures are a subset of total sponsored program expenditures.