West Virginia University established an all-time high in funding for research and sponsored programs this past year, receiving $150.6 million from federal, state, industry and private sourcesup from $140.3 million in fiscal year 2004.

Vice President for Research and Economic Development John Weete said the 7 percent increase represents the highest amount of funding from external sources in the history of the University.

Money received from federal agencies, he added, accounts for about 68 percent of the funding.

The total also represents an $86 millionor 134 percentincrease in funding levels since 1995, he noted, and the seventh consecutive year of research funding growth.

These numbers show continued progress in advancing the WVU research enterprise while exceeding our funding goals,said Dr. Weete, who is also president of the WVU Research Corp.In fact, by 2010, we hope to reach $200 million. These latest numbers show we are headed in the right direction.

WVU President David C. Hardesty added,This ranking recognizes the achievements of our faculty and improves their competitiveness in obtaining federal research dollars. It also lifts the worth of degrees for our graduates and alumni.

The WVU School of Medicine and College of Engineering and Mineral Resources together brought in approximately $50 million, Weete said. The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and the National Research Center for Coal and Energy accounted for another $24 million.

Research at WVU ranges from biomedical and forensic sciences and structural, environmental and computer engineering and energy initiatives to the humanities, social sciences and creative arts.

Homeland security and biometrics are particular areas in which WVU research has seen major growth. Energy funding also remains stable.

These projects are helping to enhance local, state and regional economic development as well as improving and sustaining WVU s recognition as a major research institution, Weete said.

Behind the growth in funding for WVU s research enterprise are other major accomplishments, including increased technology transfer activity, development of a business incubator and construction of a future research park off Route 705.

We view our research and economic initiatives as a continuum through technology transfer,Weete added.And we have an impressive portfolio of intellectual properties that we are in the process of commercializing.

The University holds over 53 U.S. patents, additional international patents29 of which are licensed for commercialization and many of which involve West Virginia companiesand has been instrumental in forming 10 new start-up companies over the past several years at the new WVU Business Incubator, he said.

The establishment of our tech transfer office in 1999 has led to a dramatic increase in patents filed, patents earned and spin-off licenses and businesses,Weete added.

Since 2000, 68 percent of U.S. patents issued based on WVU research have been earned, 70 percent of the invention disclosures ever filed based on WVU research have been earned, and the seven start-up companies recorded from WVU research have occurred in the past five years.

Research remains integral to the mission of West Virginia University,he said.Our progress over the past 10 years has established a solid base to build upon. Were excited about what lies ahead.

WVU is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research University-Extensive, placing it among the top 154 research universities in the countryand the only one in West Virginia.

WVU ranks 116 th out of nearly 600 colleges and universities in research and development funds from federal sources, up seven positions from the previous year.