Research and Innovation

Mississippi State is classified by the influential Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a “Very High Research Activity” doctoral university. This classification represents the highest level of research activity for doctorate-granting universities in the country, and MSU is one of only 120 schools to hold the designation.

In addition to its Carnegie classification, Mississippi State is the highest ranked university in the state and a top-100 university nationally in the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey for Fiscal Year 2018. MSU’s research expenditures totaled $244 million in FY 2018, accounting for more than half of the state’s total.

As it works to support the state’s $8-billion agriculture and forestry industry, the 142-year-old land-grant institution’s $105 million in R&D expenditures in agricultural sciences in FY18 places the university in the nation’s top 5% — a position it has held for over two decades. Four of its Bagley College of Engineering disciplines are rated in the top 50 for research and development expenditures, including industrial, mechanical, aerospace and the NSF “Other Engineering” subfield. In social sciences, the university has led the Southeastern Conference for seven consecutive years and is ranked 12th nationally with $41 million in expenditures.

Mississippi State provides a wide range of research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Student involvement in research is a priority across the university with funding and other resources dedicated to this effort. For example, research symposiums for undergraduate students are held in the fall, spring and summer. A symposium for graduate students is also held every spring semester. These special events are open to all students participating in faculty-led research.

Approximately 1,000 students supported more than 520 externally sponsored projects in 2019 with a total budget of $214 million. Of these projects, the federal government sponsored approximately 90 percent. Nearly $23 million came from non-federal funding sources.

Adjacent to campus, the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park — the state’s largest research park — is home to nearly 1,700 employees, 12 buildings and a diverse lineup of tenants, including private businesses, start-up companies, government offices, a business incubator, and research centers and institutes. The MSU Research and Technology Corporation is responsible for day-to-day management of the park property. After two decades of steady growth, the park is in a phase of significant expansion covering an adjacent 52 acres with roads, dual-fiber capabilities and utilities. Additionally, its roadways and sidewalks are popular destinations for cycling, running and walking.

In 2019, MSU Research and Technology Corp. purchased the Cadence Bank building in downtown Starkville, further strengthening the town-and-gown relationship with Starkville. The acquisition provides additional space for expanding companies wanting to remain in the Starkville area and also helps attract startup business.