Johns Hopkins University spent a record $3.11 billion on research and development in 2020, outspending all U.S. universities for the 42nd consecutive year.
The university spent nearly twice as much as the next highest-spending institution, the University of Michigan – which spent $1.674 billion – according to a report by the National Science Foundation.
Despite mandatory closures and a pause in research activity due to COVID, total spending for research and development at U.S. universities rose by 3.3% in 2020 – the most recent year that nationwide data is available.
Research spending at Hopkins increased by a higher percentage, rising 6.6% from the previous year.
While spending increased, the pandemic slowed growth.
Spending growth in 2020 was the slowest since the four-year period between 2012 and 2015, when federal funding for research decreased.
COVID interruptions in early 2020 were considerable, as many researchers had to completely halt their work.
By June 2020 – the end of the typical academic fiscal year – about one third of universities with at least $1 million in research funding could perform their research as usual, according to the National Science Foundation.
With an emphasis on research and development in areas like health sciences and engineering, Hopkins will continue to be a driver of technology and innovation in the Baltimore area.
