UNO Research Funding Hits Record $42.5 Million
The University of Nebraska at Omaha reported record research funding for 2025-26, extending a multi-year climb above $40 million.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Scholarships
The University of Nebraska at Omaha reported $42.5 million in research funding for 2025-26, surpassing its previous record of $42 million set in 2022-23. The university has now exceeded $40 million in research funding for four straight years.
Why it matters
Sustained research funding supports faculty work, student research opportunities and the university's role in the Omaha community. The diversity of sponsors suggests the funding base extends beyond any single source.
The Office of Research and Creative Activity awarded 248 student awards totaling more than $746,000, and grant awards came from 94 unique sponsors including 14 federal agencies and eight state agencies. The source does not detail how these awards are distributed across academic programs.
The players
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States federal agency that funds basic research and education across science and engineering disciplines.
Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety
The Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety office administers federal and state grants aimed at reducing traffic crashes and improving road safety in the state.
The details
UNO received $8 million from the National Science Foundation to establish the Nebraska Center for 3D Innovation. Researchers also received an NSF grant to develop methods for protecting drones from cyberattacks, and nearly $1 million from the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety to study safer traffic stops.
Timeline
2022-23: Previous research funding record of $42 million set.
2025-26: Record $42.5 million in research funding reported.
Scholarship Context
The 2025-26 total of $42.5 million edges past the $42 million record UNO set in 2022-23, extending a four-year run above $40 million. Funding from 94 sponsors suggests the university's research base remains diversified rather than dependent on one source.
Students at UNO may see expanded research and award opportunities, with 248 student awards totaling more than $746,000 already distributed through ORCA. Local residents may also benefit from the 3D innovation center and traffic safety research.
The takeaway
Consistent research funding signals a growing capacity for student involvement in applied projects, making campus research programs worth exploring for students considering scholarships and assistantships.
Further reading
Explore more on Scholarships in Omaha for students pursuing university research opportunities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Omaha World-Herald.
