The University continues to be one of the premier universities for research, scholarship and creative activity in the nation, maintaining an outstanding record of achievement in the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering and the professions, according to a report by Vice President for Research Homer A. Neal.

The University's research expenditures totaled $385,957,402 in 1993-94, an all-time high.

"Sheer volume of research expenditures is not in itself a measure of excellence, but it does signify a remarkably diverse research effort and, inasmuch as the vast majority of these expenditures derive from peer-reviewed, federally sponsored programs, it is strong evidence of the excellence and competitiveness of our faculty," Neal said.

"By at least one measure-total research expenditures-Michigan was the leading public research university in the country in 1993-94," he added.

Of Michigan's 1993 94 total research expenditures, $267,261,567 came from federal agencies and $118,695,835 from non-federal sources.

Research support from federal agencies accounted for 69.2 percent of the U-M total. Major funding agencies included the Department of Health and Human Services, $154,685,361; National Science Foundation, $47,232,938; Department of Defense, $19,331,749; NASA, $11,887,064; and Department of Energy, $11,223,954.

Research support from non-federal sources accounted for 19.1 percent of the U-M total and included $27,058,894 from industry and $18,890,639 from others, including contributions. U-M funds accounted for 11.7 percent of the University's total research expenditures.

Neal noted, however, that "in retaining the University's research scope and competitiveness, we face several large challenges."

For example, "the end of the Cold War is forcing a re-thinking of the nation's rationale for investment in research," he said. "This in turn has led to a change in the missions and objectives of national laboratories, potentially bringing them into competition with universities as providers of R&D to industry. At the same time, the nation's economic growth has been lately constrained, limiting resources both in the private and public sectors."

Neal continued, "The U-M has had a leading role in discussions concerning national science policy, and will continue to be active in this capacity in the year ahead."

Other accomplishments during the year included, he said:

¤ "We have issued a new integrity in scholarship policy after consultation with the faculty and deans. It provides clear guidelines supporting- high standards of academic integrity, as well as laying out the steps our community will take in monitoring itself to maintain these standards.

¤ "We have created a Strategic Research Fund, used to 'seed' innovative research in new areas of 'interest. Funds have been used to help start or enhance programs in culture and cognition, biomolecular recognition, global change, non-linear studies, and a center for research in electronic work.

¤ "We have established the Michigan Arts Award and Michigan Humanities Award, for faculty in LS&A, the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the School of Art and the School of Music.'