OKLAHOMA CITY – Exciting news comes from the University of Oklahoma Health Campus! They’ve just made it into the Top 100 national rankings for NIH funding, a first for both the university and the state. This ranking, announced by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, highlights the university’s growing influence in health research.
Being in the top 3.6% out of 2,702 institutions nationwide is no small feat. “With this honor comes great responsibility,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Our research community shows a strong commitment to enhancing health outcomes and finding cures. It’s about serving Oklahomans and impacting lives for generations.”
In just three years, OU climbed 31 spots in these rankings, with NIH funding increasing from $60 million in 2022 to an impressive $80.9 million by 2025. This growth demonstrates OU’s competitiveness for federal grants and the expanding scope of its research, which focuses on critical issues like cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases.
The OU Health Campus is unique—it houses six health professional colleges and a Graduate College all in one place. Areas of focus include cancer research, neurosciences, and geroscience among others. “Our increased NIH funding reflects our campus’s collaborative spirit,” said Gary Raskob, Ph.D., senior vice president and provost. “Our faculty are tackling urgent health issues and their work is impactful.”
Improving the health landscape in Oklahoma is a key goal for OU’s strategic plan. Their aim is to break into the top 75 for NIH funding by 2030, so this Top 100 placement is a significant step forward.
The College of Medicine received a record $72.2 million in NIH funding for 2025, ranking it 65th among 145 medical colleges nationwide. Notably, four departments are in the top 25 of their fields, with Family Medicine ranked 2nd. Meanwhile, the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing has also seen success, now sitting at 46th among nursing schools nationwide.
Recent awards have played a role in OU’s rise. Renewed grants will bolster research at the Oklahoma Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunity and the Oklahoma Center for Geroscience. The OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center has secured additional funding to enhance its Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience program, aimed at developing future scientists and health professionals.
“Our climb in the rankings shows the depth of our research,” said Ian Dunn, M.D., executive dean of the College of Medicine. “Competing successfully for rigorous grants fuels innovation and better patient care.”
With this progress, the University of Oklahoma is not just leading in research funding; they’re also shaping the future of healthcare in the state and beyond. As they continue to rise, the impact on Oklahoma’s health landscape could be transformative.
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