KU News Release

KU pharmacy school ranks third in nation in National Institutes of Health funding

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy ranks third among the nation’s best schools for securing funding from the prestigious National Institutes of Health, according to a recent study.

KU’s pharmacy school secured more than $14.5 million in NIH research funding in fiscal year 2006, according to data compiled by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

The NIH is the primary source of federal funding for the nation’s pharmacy schools. NIH support is considered an important validation of a pharmacy school’s national reputation.

KU is within $700,000 of second place, held by the University of Utah. The University of California-San Francisco ranked No. 1. The University of Washington and University of Illinois-Chicago rounded out the top five. Only two other Big 12 universities ranked in the top 25: The University of Colorado at No. 15 and the University of Texas at No. 24.

“Our prominence in NIH research funding is an appropriate reflection on the consistency and excellence of our distinguished faculty in competing nationally for NIH research funding,” said Kenneth Audus, professor and dean of the School of Pharmacy.

“The school’s funding success is based on the collective contributions of the entire faculty, senior and junior, as well as their ability to develop collaborations across disciplines on the Lawrence and Kansas City campuses.”

KU has been in the top five for six consecutive years and in the top 10 since 1995. Audus said continued success in the ratings has many benefits for KU, including faculty and student recruitment and retention.

“Our reputation is enhanced by the rankings,” said Audus. “That reputation is extremely helpful in faculty and student recruitment and gives the school an attractive profile for potential research collaborators. Our alumni can also take pride in the fact that their contributions help power one of the top research and academic pharmacy programs in the country.”

“The success of the school is more evidence that KU can compete with the best in the country for research grants,” said Jim Roberts, vice provost for research. “While federal funding for the NIH has remained level the past few years, growth in NIH-funded research at the Lawrence campus has continued to increase. The school has played a key role in that achievement.”

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.