MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Over the past five years, external research expenditures at Penn State Harrisburg have grown by more than 200%, underscoring the college's expanding impact as a research institution, both regionally and globally. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the college’s externally funded research projects reached more than $7.4 million, an increase of 7.6% compared to fiscal year 2023.  

Penn State Harrisburg has strategically expanded its research capabilities, with a strong focus on making research integral to both faculty responsibilities and the student experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

With investments in internal seed grants, research endowments and graduate student support, Penn State Harrisburg is positioned to continue its research impact regionally, nationally and globally, according to Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor David M. Callejo Pérez.  

"Research has always been central to our mission, driving innovation and making a lasting impact," Callejo Pérez said. “We are committed to expanding opportunities for faculty and students to engage in meaningful research that addresses real-world challenges. This growth in external research expenditures reflects the dedication of our faculty and partners.”  

Since the pandemic, the college has seen significant growth in externally funded research, from $2.4 million in 2020, to this year, when externally funded research projects reached $7.43 million. 

Investment in research infrastructure 

In addition to externally funded research, the college significantly invests annually to enhance research facilities and expand partnerships, including: 

• Internal seed grants

• Competitive equipment funding 

• Research endowment investments 

• Graduate student research support 

• Other internal research investments 

“We are proud to say that since 2020, for every dollar invested in the research enterprise, Penn State Harrisburg has seen a growth in external funding, emphasizing the broad impact and success of the college's research initiatives,” Callejo Pérez said. 

Major funded research projects 

Over the past few years, the college has attracted substantial external funding for critical research initiatives, including: 

• $6.58 million from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for opioid stigma reduction research. 

• $1.89 million from the National Institutes of Health for research into skeletal muscle anabolic resistance in obesity. 

• $1.5 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to support low-income, academically talented STEM students. 

• $1.8 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission for wind generation modeling. 

• $616,000 from the NSF for a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award to research marine sponge spicules use in human bone tissue engineering and other applications. 

A bright future for research at Penn State Harrisburg 

As Penn State Harrisburg continues to invest in research, the college is well-positioned to further strengthen its research enterprise, engaging more students, faculty and partners in research efforts that aim to have lasting regional and global impacts, according to Callejo Pérez.