Original report by Tina Meketa of the University of South Florida.
TAMPA — The University of South Florida continues to strengthen its position as one of the nation’s leading research institutions, moving up in newly released national rankings and outpacing many of its peers in research growth, according to federal data.
According to a study by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD), USF reported research spending of $522 million in fiscal year 2024, ranking it 47th out of 422 public universities in the U.S., up two spots from the previous year. Among all public and private institutions, USF ranks 69th out of more than 900 universities, improving from 75th in 2023.
Within Florida, USF ranks second among public universities in research spending.
The university’s research spending increased by $61 million over the previous year, representing a 13% growth rate, which is higher than about 90% of institutions affiliated with the Association of American Universities. Over the past two years, USF’s research spending has increased by nearly 29 percent, supporting what university leaders describe as continued momentum in research investments and results.
More than half of USF’s research funding comes from federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation.
Computer science, cybersecurity and AI lead gains
Computer and information science recorded the largest increase among academic fields, rising 26 places from 2022 to 25th among public universities, supported by $25.3 million in research funding. University officials attribute this growth to expanded faculty research in the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing.
In fiscal year 2024, the National Science Foundation awarded USF the largest cybersecurity grant ever, $3.7 million, to launch the Cybersecurity Research and Government Service Education (CREST) program. This initiative is designed to prepare students for cybersecurity careers in the federal government.
Advances in Earth Science and Climate Research
USF also improved its standing in Earth, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, rising from 37th to 29th among public universities.
Among the ongoing projects is the development of a crowdsourcing application to collect real-time data on flood risk. The app, led by Professor Barnali Dixon, is used by local communities to monitor and respond to extreme weather events.
“The more accurately we can predict flooding, the better we can prepare for it,” Dixon said. “The CRIS-HAZARD app assists both residents and decision-makers by providing up-to-date information.”
Research in mathematics and cryptography expands
The university’s mathematics and statistics rankings also rose significantly, rising 14 places to 45th among public universities.
Professor Jean-Francois Biasse is expanding his research at the Center for Cryptography Research, focusing on cryptography, quantum computing, and error-correcting codes used in financial technology and cybersecurity. The department recently received a $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant, the largest in its history.
“This program supports a cohort of postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students working on collaborative projects related to the application of algebra to digital technologies,” Biers said.
Broad impact on state and national rankings
The HERD rankings measure research spending rather than total grants awarded and provide a snapshot of how universities allocate research funding. The survey is also used by the Florida Governor’s Commission as part of its evaluation of the state’s universities under the Outstanding Research University Index.
USF’s performance in the rankings reflects what university officials describe as continued advances in research capabilities and academic competitiveness, placing the university among the fastest-growing research universities in the United States.
