June 13, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The University of Alabama at Birmingham continues to garner significant research funding from the National Institutes of Health, topping $200 million for the first time. Figures released by the NIH show the university increased it funding by nearly $22 million, or 11.5 percent, in FY 2002 to a total of more than $211 million.

The School of Medicine at UAB led the funding increase, garnering nearly $177 million, an increase of more than $16.3 million or 10.2 percent. The School of Public Health jumped nearly $9.7 million (almost 128 percent) to $17.2 million. The School of Nursing also had a dramatic increase, nearly doubling its funding to $2.3 million, an increase of more than $1 million or 86.6 percent. The School of Optometry saw an increase of 43.1 percent to $2.9 million. All of UAB’s schools that receive NIH funding saw increases of at least 4 percent last year.

“Having all the schools continue to rise in their level of funding from the NIH demonstrates the high quality research that continues to take place at UAB. The faculty and staff at UAB are asking the questions and finding answers that will impact the lives of everyone,” said UAB President Carol Garrison.

Overall, UAB ranks 19th in NIH funding among all institutions of higher education and 11th among public institutions. Top-rated schools at UAB include Health Related Professions (#2); Public Health (#11); Nursing (#16); and Medicine (#17). Seven departments in the School of Medicine are in the top 10 — anesthesiology, biology, medicine, microbiology, ob/gyn, physical medicine and surgery.