Iowa State University received a record $305.2 million in grants, contracts, gifts and cooperative agreements during the fiscal year that ended June 30. That total was up $31.1 million from the previous year, with the largest funding sources being the U.S. Department of Agriculture at $35.7 million and the National Science Foundation at $28.4 million, a record high from that agency.

“It is especially impressive that in these very challenging economic times, so many government agencies, businesses, foundations and others are choosing to invest their funds in our programs,” said Iowa State President Gregory Geoffroy in a release. “This record amount also illustrates how effectively our researchers are competing for the funds to advance their projects.”

However, most of that increase is related to a correction in how the university counts funds that flow through the Iowa State University Foundation.

The funding supports research, educational projects, student financial aid, buildings, equipment and ISU Extension activities, with $170 million of the total going to research projects based on proposals submitted by Iowa State faculty and scientific staff.

Projects supported by external funding during the past fiscal year include:

• $3.25 million from the National Science Foundation to support establishment of an NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals based at Iowa State.

• $2.75 million from the National Academy of Sciences for geotechnical research to facilitate rapid highway renewal.

• $2.55 million from ConocoPhillips for biofuels research.

• $2.49 million from the National Institutes of Health for the Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute and its programs to prevent youth substance abuse and other problem behaviors.

• $2.37 million from the Iowa Office of Energy Independence to study and develop a clean gasification system for renewable power, energy and ethanol from biomass.