SE Valley Times

Arizona State University (ASU) is on the brink of reaching $1 billion in annual research funding, a milestone achieved by only 33 universities nationwide. Notably, ASU has managed this feat without having a medical school, although plans to establish one are underway.

This achievement highlights ASU's growth through research in areas such as engineering, microelectronics, space exploration, healthcare, national defense, and sustainability. ASU President Michael Crow described himself as a "knowledge enterprise architect" when he took over in 2002. He aimed to create a New American University that focuses on inclusion and success rather than exclusion.

Crow's vision for ASU involved significant investments from both state and local levels. In 2000, voters approved the Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF), which supports projects in health, sustainability, national security, space exploration, and workforce development. Since then, TRIF has helped attract $3.36 billion in external funding to ASU.

In 2003, the Arizona Legislature passed a bipartisan university research bill allocating $440 million to research facilities at public universities. This led to the construction of key infrastructure like the Biodesign Institute at ASU.

Joshua LaBaer leads the Biodesign Institute and has been instrumental in guiding its research portfolio. The institute's interdisciplinary approach has attracted more than $930 million in funding since its inception in 2004.

ASU’s Innovation Zones are another part of its strategy for growth. These zones offer customizable options for tenants based on industry needs and help facilitate innovation across various sectors.

As of 2024, ASU boasts over 5,000 scholars including Nobel laureates and MacArthur Fellows among others. For ten consecutive years, it has been ranked No. 1 in innovation by U.S. News & World Report.

Sally Morton from ASU Knowledge Enterprise emphasized that reaching $1 billion translates into job creation and economic growth for Arizona. Looking ahead, plans for an engineering-focused medical school promise further expansion into biomedical research under the new initiative called ASU Health.