Tampa Bay Times: Public university research delivers big wins for Florida taxpayers
Florida has long held the crown as the No. 1 higher education system in America, thanks in large part to the $3 billion per year in groundbreaking research under way at our state universities. Not only does this research — much of it funded by federal tax dollars — lead to new medical, agricultural, science and engineering breakthroughs, it also helps prepare our students and our industries for the 21st-century economy.
Amid growing national scrutiny of research spending in higher education, it’s our responsibility to let Florida taxpayers know what we are doing at our public universities and how the research delivers real-world results. Since 2022, Florida’s public universities have generated 800 patents, launched 83 startups and created nearly 4,000 jobs statewide. These are measurable returns, but the true impact goes beyond dollars and cents.
University research drives better diagnostics and treatments for diseases like cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s and other conditions that touch nearly every Florida family. It strengthens our food supply, protects our personal data from cyber threats, creates new innovative industries and trains the skilled doctors, engineers and teachers who serve our communities. Simply put, this research helps keep us, our families and our neighborhoods safer and more prepared for the future.