Tennessee Tech sets sixth consecutive record for research funding, surpassing $50 million in fiscal year 2026
Tennessee Tech University set a record for externally funded research for the sixth consecutive year, reaching $50.88 million in fiscal year 2026.
The record total, which includes 177 funded research projects across all eight of Tech’s academic colleges and schools, surpasses the previous record of $47.9 million set in fiscal year 2025. The fiscal year ended June 30.
“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,” said John Liu, vice president for research and economic development at Tech. “The scholarship and creative work generated through these efforts will further strengthen Tech’s reputation as a national research leader.”
The record was achieved during a year of administrative transition for Tech’s research enterprise. Liu also served as Tech’s interim provost throughout fiscal year 2026, while Michael Aikens, associate vice president for research and economic development at Tech, served as acting vice president, collaborating closely with Liu to support the university’s research mission.
“This accomplishment is about far more than setting a new funding record,” said Aikens. “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.”
The past year also saw significant growth in Tech’s research infrastructure and partnerships.
In May, Tech launched GENESIS, a high-performance computing system commissioned by the university’s ASCEND (Advancing Systems, Computing, Engineering and Data) Center. Designed to accelerate large-scale artificial intelligence, scientific computing and data-intensive research, GENESIS expands Tech’s ability to support workforce development and technology-driven economic growth.
Tech also joined the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a national organization dedicated to advancing space-related science, technology and engineering. The university was formally welcomed into the association earlier this summer, strengthening its connections to space science and aerospace research.
Liu and Aikens explain that Tech’s research success is supported by a culture of inquiry, innovation and impact. Faculty members propose bold ideas and engage students in research across disciplines, while Tech’s STEM-infused environment increasingly emphasizes hands-on research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“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.”
Liu said Tech’s research achievements are expected to continue in the year ahead, comparing the university’s momentum to a snowball.
“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 is recognized as an R2 doctoral, high-research activity university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Learn more about research at Tech by visiting www.tntech.edu/research.