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Purdue Research by the Numbers

With one of the most diversified and well-balanced research portfolios in the country, Purdue's Office of Research continues at a strong pace, posting $656M in expenditures for fiscal year 2025.

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Expenditures

In FY25 our external research expenditures reached a record high, with a well-diversified base of funders. Research expenditures from external sources reached $656M (up 9% from FY24), an increase of 90% since FY15.

$656 million

Broad base of external funding

Funding from our largest source of external support, the U.S. federal government, now exceeds two-thirds (71%) of our overall external expenditures. Meanwhile, industry and nonprofit organizations contributed nearly $127 million in funding to support Purdue research. Unlike many other research universities, Purdue’s funding is not dependent on a single federal agency. Instead, a majority of federal funding comes from five federal bodies: the Department of Defense (21%), the National Science Foundation (15%), the Department of Health and Human Services (15%), the Department of Energy (7%) and the Department of Agriculture (6%).

71%

Bridging academia and industry

Purdue has long collaborated with private-sector partners by establishing master research agreements (MRAs) that lead to practical and meaningful research to address key needs. Since 2012 the number of meaningful MRAs with companies has accelerated dramatically, with 63 active MRAs and productivity totaling more than $307M across fields.

Productivity of Master Agreements 2012-25: $307+ million

Honoring Purdue’s Research Faculty

Purdue’s research faculty, who drive innovation across many areas to tackle challenges facing the world, have been recognized with hundreds of awards, accolades and elected positions including the following:

  • 73 Fellows, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • 23 Fellows, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
  • 21 Winners, National Science Foundation Early Career Awards
  • 21 Fellows, National Academy of Inventors
  • 11 Fellows, American Academy of Arts & Sciences
  • 3 Winners, World Food Prize
  • 1 Winner, National Medal of Science
Recognition of Purdue Research Faculty

Strategic Initiatives

Momentum in Purdue’s research enterprise is due in part to investments in strategic initiatives. Through initiatives such as One Health and Purdue Computes, we leverage Purdue’s unique strengths, maximize research efficiencies and develop interdisciplinary solutions that truly matter.

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Last modified: Feb 24, 2026

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