DAILY BULLDOG • January 14, 2025
State-funded University of Maine System (UMS) research is delivering its highest-ever rate of return. Led by the University of Maine, the state’s public research university, UMS directly generated $6.45 for every $1 the State invested through the Maine Economic Improvement Fund in Fiscal Year 2024. In FY24, the $21.85 million appropriated by the State for MEIF generated $141 million in external R&D grants and contracts just in the seven sectors and mostly at UMaine to support laboratories and researchers, including students, who collaborate with Maine companies. In total, Maine’s public universities secured more than $260 million in R&D grants and contracts in FY24. Maine invests just 1.1% of its GDP in R&D, far below the national average of 3.6% and 5.7% by other New England states.