Tennessee Tech officially surpassed $50 million in externally funded research for the first time during the fiscal year 2026 just completed.
It marks the sixth consecutive year the university has set a new record for research funding. Vice President for Research and Economic Development John Liu said the $50.88 million total includes 177 different projects spread across every academic college and school at the university.
“While it is important that we conduct research relevant to society’s challenges, the most significant impact of research growth is the creation of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for our students,” Liu said. “The scholarship and creative work generated through these efforts will further strengthen Tech’s reputation as a national research leader.”
Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development Michael Aikens said the university is becoming a known destination for innovation and workforce development. Aikens said the funding growth occurred during a period of administrative transition where he served as acting vice president while Liu served as interim provost.
“This accomplishment is about far more than setting a new funding record,” Aikens said. “It is evidence that Tennessee Tech is increasingly recognized as a destination for high-impact research, innovation and workforce development. Our faculty are addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges, our students are gaining transformative hands-on experiences and our partners continue to place their trust in Tennessee Tech to help advance discovery, economic competitiveness and quality of life.”
Officials said the university expanded its technical capabilities in May by launching a high-performance computing system known as GENESIS. Aikens said the system was commissioned by the university ASCEND Center to accelerate large-scale artificial intelligence and scientific computing.
“Our faculty are empowered to pursue bold research questions, while students are actively engaged through hands-on opportunities,” Aikens said. “This environment, combined with strong institutional support and outstanding partnerships, has positioned Tennessee Tech to compete successfully for major awards while delivering solutions that make a difference in Tennessee and beyond.”
Officials said the university also joined the Universities Space Research Association earlier this summer to strengthen connections to aerospace research. Liu said the university must maintain its current momentum to ensure continued growth in the coming years.
“We have to keep rolling it forward, or it can melt away,” Liu said. “We look forward to even greater success in fiscal year 2027.”
Tennessee Tech currently holds a Carnegie Classification as an R2 doctoral university with high research activity.
