Phil Bridges Executive Director of Integrated Communications | UNC Health
Phil Bridges Executive Director of Integrated Communications | UNC Health
The UNC School of Medicine has been recognized for its substantial National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, ranking sixth among peer public universities and 19th nationwide for the federal fiscal year 2024. According to a report by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, the school received over $349 million in NIH funding, not including research and development contracts.
The Blue Ridge Institute is an independent nonprofit organization that annually ranks NIH funding allocated to colleges and universities. This financial support underpins research across various fields, including genetics, cancer, biomedical engineering, and neurosciences.
Dr. Blossom Damania, vice dean for research at the UNC School of Medicine and chief scientific officer at UNC Health, commented on the importance of this funding: "Our researchers use NIH funding to advance discoveries, cures, and treatments related to many types of human disease." She emphasized appreciation for the support from NIH and other agencies which aids in improving health outcomes.
The overall research funding at the school surpasses half a billion dollars, accounting for more than half of all research funds at UNC-Chapel Hill. Each basic science department ranks within the top ten nationally:
- Biochemistry & Biophysics: 5th (3rd among public universities)
- Biomedical Engineering: 8th (5th)
- Cell Biology & Physiology: 3rd (3rd)
- Genetics: 2nd (1st)
- Microbiology & Immunology: 9th (4th)
- Pharmacology: 5th (3rd)
Thirteen clinical departments are also noted in the top thirty:
- Anesthesiology: 15th (6th)
- Dermatology: 26th (10th)
- Emergency Medicine: 19th (10th)
- Family Medicine: 11th
- Medicine: 22nd (7th)
- Obstetrics & Gynecology: 15th (8th)
- Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery: 21st (13th)
- Pediatrics: 23rd (8th)
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: 18th (8th)
- Psychiatry: 18th (7th)
- Radiology/Radiation Oncology: 23rd (11th)
- Surgery: 29th
- Urology: 28th
Additionally, the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health holds fourth place in total NIH funding while being first among public institutions. The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy ranks second after UC-San Francisco.
The UNC School of Medicine is North Carolina's largest medical school with over $648 million in annual research funding. It graduates more than two hundred new physicians each year and includes distinguished faculty members such as national academy members and Nobel laureates.
Alerts Sign-up