Research for You

Federal agencies — such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Energy — fund a wide range of research projects at Michigan State University, including those that develop cancer therapies, improve crop yields, create new energy solutions, and protect the Great Lakes. Federal dollars also support research on rural health care access, workforce training and development, educational innovation, national security efforts and more.

Research at MSU is funded through a mix of federal contracts and grants, state support, private industry partnerships, foundations and philanthropic gifts. The largest share — more than half — comes from the federal government. These competitive grants enable faculty and students to pursue research that addresses national and global challenges while strengthening the state’s economy.

MSU is known for research with real-world impact. Just a few examples:

• The breakthrough chemotherapy drug cisplatin was developed at MSU and continues to save lives globally. Today, MSU cancer researchers are working to deliver new targeted therapies with fewer side effects and focusing on treatments for pancreatic, testicular, ovarian and other cancers.
• Precision agriculture practices using global positioning systems and big data help farmers adapt to a changing environment without sacrificing crop yields.
• New tools and approaches developed at MSU help pediatricians and parents identify autism signs earlier, improving access to therapies that support healthy development.
• MSU researchers have developed methods used by the FDA and industry to detect contaminants in food and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Read about the latest news and research on MSUToday.

MSU’s research benefits a wide range of communities:

• Students gain hands-on experience, learn alongside faculty and prepare for high-impact careers.
• Alumni benefit through high-value degrees, economic opportunities and industries shaped by Spartan innovations.
• Communities across Michigan and America — from rural towns to urban centers — see results through improved health, agriculture, education and infrastructure.
• Government agencies partner with MSU to tackle national priorities, from food security to defense to environmental protection.

MSU’s relationship with the federal government dates back 170 years. As the premier land-grant university, MSU was founded with a mission to serve the public good through research, education and outreach. This partnership expanded to boost federal funding for research during and after World War II and continues today with support from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and other agencies.

Absolutely. Studies show every dollar invested in public research returns more than two dollars to the economy. It drives job creation, supports small businesses and startups and leads to technologies that boost productivity and public well-being. As a leading public research university, MSU research generates a ripple effect through the state’s economy and workforce.

Government investment supports long-term, high-risk, high-reward research that private companies often avoid because returns aren’t immediate. Public research addresses broad societal needs, like public health, environmental protection and food security, and the discoveries it produces are openly shared, benefiting everyone. It ensures equity, transparency and accountability in science.

From the Upper Peninsula to West Michigan to Detroit, MSU research makes a difference to families and local communities:

• In the U.P., MSU Extension supports sustainable forestry and wildlife conservation.
• In urban areas, MSU-led public health initiatives help communities reduce health disparities and improve access to care.
• Across rural Michigan, research on agriculture, water quality and broadband internet access improves livelihoods.
• MSU also partners with Michigan communities to develop infrastructure solutions, support mental health and improve educational outcomes in schools.

Yes, and MSU’s donors play an essential role in fueling research productivity. Philanthropic gifts can support research labs, fund scholarships for student researchers and endowed professorships for faculty and provide seed money for promising ideas. But while these gifts are powerful, they’re often targeted and can’t match the scale or scope of sustained federal funding, which remains essential for the long-term success of research that keeps America competitive.