Iowa State University attracted a record $509.2 million in total external funding for the fiscal year that ended June 30. The fiscal 2018 figure represents a 1.1 percent increase over the previous fiscal year funding and the fourth consecutive record year for external funding, the university said in a release. The latest fiscal year includes $245.8 million in external support for Iowa State researchers, an increase of $2.1 million over fiscal year 2017. The record for research funding was $252.5 million during fiscal year 2016. “We are pleased that our sponsors invest so strongly in Iowa State’s research all over campus,” said Sarah Nusser, Iowa State’s vice president for research.  External funding includes grants, contracts, gifts and cooperative agreements from federal, state and local governments as well as from corporations, nonprofits and other universities for research, academic support, scholarships and other sources.