Federal Funders

What are the top five sources of federal funding at Rice?

The National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and NASA. Here’s a breakdown of this funding.

44% National Science Foundation

This foundation supports science and engineering research and education. At Rice, the National Science Foundation accounts for the majority of our federal funding profile.

19% Department of Defense

The Department of Defense funds basic research, such as the creation of novel materials, which can be turned into practical applications across multiple disciplines.

4% Department of Energy

This federal department funds research to address scientific problems in clean energy, AI and machine learning, climate change, and more.

4% NASA

Rice and NASA have a storied partnership going back to the earliest days of human spaceflight programs. In 2022, NASA and Rice signed an agreement to expand joint research opportunities, STEM engagement and educational activities.

22% National Institutes of Health

Part of the Department of Health and Human Services, this agency is the primary source of funding for biomedical research at Rice and, indeed, around the world.