The State of Research Funding and Support University of Minnesota

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ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION MN Academics United is an affiliate of SEIU Local 284. Faculty at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities campus are coming together to form a union for a stronger voice in shaping our University’s direction and priorities, our working conditions, and the future of higher education in Minnesota. A faculty union will give us the means to democratize our university through true shared governance with a legally binding contract, including the opportunity to halt the erosion of research funding and support. For more information, contact us at: 450 Southview Blvd. South Saint Paul, MN 55075 651-256-9100 info@MNacademics.org www.MNacademics.org www.Facebook.com/MNacademics TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................. 3 METHODOLOGY............................................................................. 4 FINDING 1.......................................................................................... 5 FINDING 2......................................................................................... 6 FINDING 3......................................................................................... 7 FINDING 4......................................................................................... 8 FINDING 5......................................................................................... 9 THE PATH FORWARD.................................................................... 10 END NOTES...................................................................................... 12 APPENDIX A: SURVEY QUESTIONS.......................................... 13 FIGURE 1: CHANGES IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME DEDICATED TO SECURING RESEARCH FUNDING ...................................... 5 FIGURE 2: IMPACTS OF INSECURE RESEARCH FUNDING.6 FIGURE 3: TRANSPARENCY IN USE OF FACILITIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES ...................................................... 9 2
University of Minnesota faculty and other academic researchers report that research suffers from federal funding challenges and unsupportive University policies. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A recent survey completed by hundreds of academic researchers at the University of Minnesota revealed that the amount of time they spend applying for federal grants has increased, often compromising their research, and that many of them do not feel they receive adequate support from the University for their research. University of Minnesota researchers rely heavily on federal funding, and their experience reflects the uncertainty and strain associated with applying for and securing federal grants. With increased competition for a dwindling pot of available federal grant money and inadequate support from the University for many academic researchers, these scientists, mathematicians and other researchers report spending more time on applying for grants and completing grant-required paperwork, and less time on the vital research to which they are dedicated. More researchers are chasing fewer grants, and the predictable result has been more time wasted on increasingly unsuccessful grant applications and greater insecurity about funding. Compounding this challenge is the fact that academic researchers do not believe they have the adequate support and transparency one would expect from the University to effectively fulfill their research mission. The funding insecurity and increased pressure felt by faculty and researchers has often limited the potential value of their research and driven some to leave the field altogether. Researchers at the University of Minnesota report that they are often forced to change or even abandon important aspects of research in a way that is detrimental to the standing of academic researchers, the University itself, and to the broader search for knowledge that could benefit society. As one survey respondent said, “I can only hire research staff and buy for them supplies with which to do research if I have funding available…without this funding, no research work can be done, and I would be unable to contribute to my field or to society.” In response to these challenges, research faculty at the University of Minnesota are coming together to advocate for adequate public investment, reasonable caps on overhead reimbursement rates, and transparency around how all research-related dollars are spent. Their efforts are an integral part of a growing movement of faculty and students across the country who seek to transform our higher education system to one which truly values learning and inquiry. 3
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The State of Research Funding and Support University of Minnesota

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