USF rises in new research rankings, outpacing many peer institutions in growth

By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing

Research at the University of South Florida is creating a better future for Tampa Bay, the state of Florida and the nation. Now a newly released ranking based on research activity at universities across the U.S. is reinforcing USF's standing as one of the country's top institutions - and among those experiencing the fastest growth.

With $522 million in research expenditures in fiscal year 2024, USF ranks No. 47 among the nation's 422 reporting public universities - up two spots from the previous year, according to the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey. USF is No. 69 out of more than 900 public and private institutions - up from No. 75 in fiscal year 2023. USF ranks No. 2 among Florida's public universities.

USF's $522 million spent on research is a $61 million increase over the previous year. More than half of those expenditures came from dollars awarded by federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense and National Science Foundation. USF's 13% year-over-year growth rate is higher than 90% of members of the Association of American Universities. Over the past two years, USF's research spending has increased by nearly 29%.

HERD rankings are based on research expenditures - the amount of funding universities spend - rather than the total value of grants awarded. Awards reflect the most recently completed fiscal year, while expenditures come from the prior cycle.

Research that falls under the category of Computer and Information Sciences experienced the greatest gains among all disciplines, climbing 26 spots since the 2022 HERD survey to No. 25 among public universities, with $25.3 million in research expenditures. The growth reflects the rapid trajectory of faculty research in the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing.

During fiscal 2024, the National Science Foundation awarded USF its largest cybersecurity grant to date. The $3.7 million investment launched the Cybersecurity Research and Education for Service in Government, also known as CREST, which prepares undergraduate and graduate students to become cybersecurity professionals for the federal government.

USF also posted gains in the category of Geosciences, Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences - rising from No. 37 in fiscal 2023 to No. 29 among public universities. Projects include the development of a crowdsourcing app that collects real-time data on flooding risks. Led by Professor Barnali Dixon, the app has become a critical tool for helping local communities monitor and respond to extreme weather events.

"The more accurately we can predict floods, the better we can prepare for them," Dixon said. "The CRIS-HAZARD app helps both residents and decision-makers by providing up-to-date information."

Mathematics and Statistics jumped 14 spots to No. 45 among public universities over the previous fiscal year. Professor Jean-Francois Biasse advanced the work of the Center for Cryptographic Research, which applies mathematical theory to cryptography, quantum computing and error correcting codes often used within fintech to protect online banking.

"We were incredibly fortunate to be awarded $2.5 million from the National Science Foundation. It is the largest grant ever received by the USF Department of Mathematics and Statistics," Biasse said. "This program supports cohorts of postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students working on collaborative projects pertaining to the applications of algebra to digital technologies."

The HERD survey also plays a key role in how the Florida Board of Governors evaluates state universities in its Preeminent Research University metrics. USF is consistently a top performer, reflecting the university's continued momentum in research and academic excellence.