The University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy has achieved unprecedented growth
in research funding, climbing from 43rd to 16th nationally in National Institutes
of Health awards over the past five years, while securing the top spot in the nation
for percentage increase, according to a newly released report from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
255% growth over five years
The college secured $14.9 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2024—a 255% increase from its five-year baseline of $4.2 million. NIH funding alone grew from $9.4 million in FY2023 to $14.5 million in FY2024, representing a 54% year-over-year increase.
"This success is the direct result of the dedication, collaboration and scientific rigor of our faculty and staff," says Dean Stephen Cutler. "Every grant, every project and every breakthrough strengthens our impact on pharmaceutical science and patient care in South Carolina and beyond."
Since 2020, total funding has grown 185%, from $5.4 million to $15.4 million, positioning USC as a national leader among pharmacy schools.
The college now ranks 29th nationally in total external research funding at $15.4
million, placing it in the top 30 nationwide and top five in the Southeastern Conference.
For federal funding specifically, USC ranks 20th nationally and fourth in the SEC.
Translational, meaningful, and groundbreaking research
Lorne Hofseth, associate dean of research, notes that the rankings place USC first in South Carolina for both total and federal research funding among colleges of pharmacy, and third in the SEC for NIH awards.
“Our rise to the top 20 reflects the collaboration, creativity, and persistence of our faculty, who are submitting more grants, advancing bold ideas, and tackling questions of real significance with innovative approaches. Funding agencies value research that is translational, meaningful, and groundbreaking; and that is exactly what defines us at the USC College of Pharmacy.”
Topics: Research and Practice