Ohio State ranks 12th in the nation in research and development, 6th in industry research

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Ohio State ranks 12th in the nation in research and development, 6th in industry research

Rankings highlight more than $1.58 billion in research

New federal numbers place The Ohio State University among the best in the nation for research.

Ohio State climbed to 12th place nationally among all universities for total research expenditures. The university also strengthened its standing in industry-sponsored research, rising to 6th nationally and underscoring its growing impact as a leader in discovery, innovation and academic excellence.

"Ohio State's rise in the national rankings demonstrates that our university competes with the best of the best in doing research that changes lives and creates economic growth in Ohio and around the world," said President Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. "This achievement is a remarkable testament to the talents and dedication of Ohio State students, faculty, staff and partners, whose work reaches every corner of our state and beyond."

The National Science Foundation's annual Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey rankings highlight Ohio State's more than $1.58 billion in research expenditures for fiscal year 2024 - a new university record. That represents an increase of over 9% from the previous year.

"Our growing research enterprise drives groundbreaking medical treatments, improved technology for Ohio farmers and manufacturers, safer communities and more effective schools," Carter said.

"I'm incredibly proud of our researchers, whose creativity and commitment continue to elevate this university's reputation as a powerhouse for innovation and impact," said John M. Horack, vice president for research at Ohio State.

The university's research and development expenditures have more than doubled since 2012, increasing by more than $600 million over the past four years. The new numbers place Ohio State above esteemed research programs at Harvard, Duke and Yale.

Ohio State's total federal research expenditures for FY 2024 were $774.2 million, an increase of 11% from FY 2023. Sponsored research by federal agencies included $400 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an 11% increase from the previous year.

The university's research and development includes a 3% increase in industry-sponsored research to $159.5 million and an 8% increase in state-sponsored research to about $66.9 million.

Among other federal funders, the National Science Foundation sponsored more than $81 million in Ohio State research, up 19% from FY 2023, and the Department of Defense supported $74.9 million in university research, a 31% increase from the previous year.

The university has long-running partnerships with business leaders like Honda and Amgen, which help fuel the university's top 10 ranking in industry-sponsored research.

Honda and Ohio State recently celebrated 25 years of collaboration, which has produced more than $130 million in philanthropy and sponsored research, supported over 400 research projects, and created internships and learning opportunities for thousands of students. Recent collaborations include the Battery Cell Research and Demonstration Center, where Ohio State faculty, Honda engineers and industry partners will advance next-generation energy storage technologies.

Late last year, the Honda Research Institute announced a $2.6 million investment to expand research on Ohio State's SciTech campus, including a new Advanced Materials Science Lab to support collaborative research and data-driven innovation for future Honda technologies.

"The strength of our partnership with Ohio State is that we are two entities working as one team. This unique relationship enables us not only to conduct groundbreaking research every day, but to use our combined expertise to explore new and innovative opportunities," said American Honda Executive Vice President Bob Nelson. "This collaboration provides benefits both to Honda and Ohio State every single day, and that is a testament to the value of this partnership."

Amgen, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, has invested in empowering Ohio State's students today and preparing them for the future. The company supports the Amgen STEM Learning Center, a new tutoring center targeting first- and second-year students enrolled in gateway STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses.

Amgen also collaborates with the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) in the College of Engineering. CDME provides students with hands-on industry experience at Amgen, where they work directly on real-world projects in areas such as data visualization, documentation, marketing and process efficiency, while gaining meaningful exposure to company culture, values and professional networking.

"Ohio State's leadership in industry-sponsored research and applied STEM education makes the university a strong partner for Amgen," said Sandra Rodriguez-Toledo, vice president of site operations at Amgen. "By working directly with Ohio State students, we are helping develop the next generation of talent while demonstrating how applied learning can translate directly from the classroom to impactful outcomes in industry."

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