Sponsored Research
History of Sponsored Research Expenditures
Federal support for research is essential as a driver of innovation that benefits the national economy. Sponsored research expenditures on the Princeton University campus have grown steadily over the years from $177 million in 2010 to $238 million in 2019. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), which is managed by the University, remains strong with $104 million in 2019. A 
five-year history of expenditures by prime sponsor is available.
FY2019 Expenditures by Discipline
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) represented 30% of the total sponsored research expenditures managed by the University in FY2019. On campus, the divisions of the natural sciences and engineering and applied science accounted for 92% of expenditures. External support for programs in the social sciences, humanities and non-academic departments was 8% of the campus total. Centers, institutes and programs were included with the related academic divisions. A breakdown of sponsored research expenditures by department or program provides additional information on the number of projects, operating expenses and expenditures on training grants, equipment and facilities and indirect costs.
FY2019 Campus Research Funding by Prime Sponsor
The majority (82%) of the University’s research funding on campus comes from federal agencies. Another 17% comes from industry and foundations, which complement the federal investment in research. These include projects that combine research with education, projects that fill the gap between fundamental and applied research, and specific investigator-led projects. A detailed chart of sponsored research expenditures by prime sponsor in FY2019 lists the number of projects, operating expenses and expenditures on training grants, equipment and facilities, and indirect costs.