research

UM defended its status as a top-tier research and doctorate-granting institution after the latest review by national classification organizations.

The Neural Injury Center at the University of Montana will begin a $4.8 million research project to develop monitoring techniques and rehabilitation of Naval aviators.

Scott Whittenburg, UM vice president for research and creative scholarship, said the University’s research expenditures stood at $55 million in 2014. Under his leadership during the past decade, that figure has jumped 161%.

Montana ranks fifth in the U.S. for the growth of its research enterprise and in three of the past five years, it has ranked in the top 10 for research growth.

While less than a year has passed since Montana was designated as a regional technology and innovation hub, the program has made headway in advancing new technologies and on Tuesday, it landed a large $41 million Phase 2 investment to continue that effort.

Montana has one of the largest populations of veterans per capita, 8.9%, making it the state with the fifth highest number of vets per 100,000 people.

A deep panel of Montana university officials and technology gurus gathered in Missoula on Tuesday to discuss the challenges and opportunities that face the state as it looks to compete on a federal level for funding as a new technology hub.

Over the past 10 years, expenditures from research grants at the University of Montana have more than doubled, reaching $126 million this fall – an increase of $4 million over the prior year, the school said Monday.