LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville announced Wednesday it secured a record $201.5 million for research in the 2021 fiscal year. That number is an increase of more than $30 million over the previous record set last year.

“UofL is truly a research powerhouse, continuously blazing new trails and seeking answers to important questions,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “This record-breaking year for funding is proof of that fact, but it also shows our research and scholarship are a great investment — that UofL is a great place to invest.”

The university highlighted some of the work it has done to combat COVID-19, including new treatments, community testing and methods for tracking and containing future disease outbreaks.

"The research we do here at UofL has real impact — it can improve the way we live and work, spur economic development, and in some cases, it literally saves lives,” said Kevin Gardner, UofL’s executive vice president for research and innovation. “This funding makes that important work possible.”

UofL also said the 2021 fiscal year was "far-and-away" its best year on record for commercialization income. The university earned $26.7 million from license royalties and other related income from university research-born intellectual property, nearly triple the previous record set just a year before, and was awarded 80 new patents.

That increased income was thanks to strong deals and development funding, like the license of UofL-born drugs to fight cancer and other conditions, according to the university. The school also received grants to develop new technologies.

“It’s important for people to know that our research doesn’t end with a paper or manuscript,” Gardner said. “It ends in getting our research out into the world in the form of innovative new companies, partnerships and technologies. Our goal is innovation with impact.”