University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren today announced that OU’s Norman campus faculty achieved a record in FY 2012 research awards, topping $93 million for the first time in the University’s history. Also, the faculty submitted a record 803 proposals to external funding sources, requesting more than $300 million.

During the past 10 years, Norman campus research expenditures have increased by more than 70 percent, and in the past 12 months alone, more than $125 million in new research grants and contracts have been awarded to Norman campus researchers. This funding will support a new Department of the Interior Climate Science Center, renewal of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Research, a new program to help students from urban schools be successful in college, and a new Center of Biomedical Research Excellence.  Additionally, new grants have been received for major research equipment, as well as to support the development of a digital game-based system for training intelligence officers.  

“During a challenging economy, our faculty worked exceptionally hard to achieve this remarkable record, which benefits the state of Oklahoma by continuing to spur economic growth,” Boren said.

“A new Radar Innovations Laboratory will be constructed near the National Weather Center to support OU’s world-class program in radar research and education,” Boren said.  “This facility is being designed to support rapid prototyping of a variety of advanced radars, providing new opportunities for commercializing technology and even manufacturing radars in Norman.”