Despite the ongoing overhaul of federal science funding that has rocked university research across the country, the University of Hawaiʻi has secured its second highest extramural funding record amount of $647.3 million in fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026). While it represents a slight decrease of 11.8% from last year’s record-setting total of $734 million, it also marks the fifth consecutive year that UH has topped half a billion dollars in extramural funding.
“The true measure of this investment is not just the funding secured, but the discoveries made, students trained and communities strengthened because of this work,” UH President Wendy F. Hensel said. “UH research addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing Hawaiʻi and the world, and these achievements reflect the dedication of our researchers and the importance of sustaining a strong research enterprise for generations to come.”
Extramural funding is defined as investments from external agencies such as the federal government, industry and non-profit organizations that support research and training activities conducted by university faculty and staff. Projects funded by extramural funds support research and innovation that helps to provide solutions to improve the quality of life not only in Hawaiʻi, but across the nation, and around the world.
“During this extremely difficult period of federal funding for university research, achieving a fifth consecutive year of securing over half a billion dollars in extramural funding is something that both the University of Hawaiʻi and the state of Hawaiʻi can really be proud of,” said UH Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad B. Walton. “It is a clear testament to the effort, dedication, and true nature of our dedicated and hardworking faculty, staff, and students that continues to successfully fuel the UH research enterprise—a major contributor to Hawaiʻi’s economy.”
A strong research community
Leading the way for UH in FY 2026 was UH Mānoa, the research flagship of UH’s 10 campus system, with an extramural award amount tally of $516.0 million. The UH System brought in $88.4 million, UH Community Colleges totaled $21.1 million, UH Hilo received $17.9 million, and UH West Oʻahu totaled $3.9 million.
“I am extremely proud of the UH Mānoa research community for their efforts and remarkable resilience during this unprecedented period in federal research funding,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos. “Their dedication and commitment to their craft has once again positioned UH Mānoa to be a major contributor to UH’s extramural funding and reaffirms our on-going commitment to become the premier global flagship in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Syrmos, who also oversees federal relations for the UH System, noted that the uncertainties surrounding federal and state research funding will continue to have a profound and long-lasting impact on university research across the nation, including key UH Mānoa projects in the areas of agriculture, astronomy, climate resilience, conservation and health that are vital to the state.
The following are examples of UH programs that attracted the attention of funders:
- The UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences received a $12.5 million award from the Office of the Governor—State of Hawaiʻi for the Social Science Research Institute to serve as the lead unit in expanding virtual care statewide as part of Hawaiʻi Rural Health Transformation Program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- The National Science Foundation awarded $4.1 million to UH Mānoa’s College of Engineering to continue its efforts in recruiting high-quality scholars for cybersecurity careers including recruitment of Native Hawaiian and female students. These efforts have led to jobs in the cyber security workforce in Hawaiʻi as well as nationally.
- The UH System Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation received a $2.8 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense to work with industry, communities and state and federal government agencies to build Hawaiʻi’s innovation economy with an emphasis on blue economy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
- The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at UH Mānoa received a $2.8 million award from the National Institutes of Health to provide data for state and local nutrition programming policy aimed at reducing food insecurity and health disparities among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities.
- The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources awarded $1.9 million to UH Mānoa’s College of Natural Sciences to mitigate threats to the health and resilience of the Olowalu reef, which is a critical resource for fishers, recreational users, community groups, and businesses in West Maui.
- The School of Ocean Earth Science and Technology at UH Mānoa received a $1.6 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense to explore the feasibility of using techniques such as desalinization to develop and maintain resilient drinking water supplies for its bases, such as Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi, and their surrounding communities.
- The UH Cancer Center received a $1.5 million award from the National Cancer Institute to continue work under a Specialized Program of Research Excellence, which conducts translational research to help alleviate lung cancer and breast cancer, which are highly relevant to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.
According to Syrmos, more than $340.1 million in awards were received from the federal government in FY 2026. He attributed much of it as a direct result of the close working relationship between UH and Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda.
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz
“This new funding is great news for the UH, its students, and our state. It will support important research, create opportunities for students, and strengthen programs that benefit communities across Hawaiʻi. While the White House continues to threaten federal funding for universities across the country, we’ll keep doing everything we can to protect UH and the important work it does.”
U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono
“Despite ongoing attacks on federal funding for higher education and public schools, UH remains a beacon of innovation both in Hawaiʻi and around the world. Investing in UH doesn’t just benefit thousands of students—it fuels our state’s economy and shares our cutting-edge research with the world. I will continue to advocate for UH’s federal funding requests and work closely with university leadership to protect its federal funding for years to come.”
U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawaiʻi – First District)
“This funding for our flagship university is critical on several levels for our Hawaiʻi. First, it is a testament to UH’s growing research and innovation talent and international recognition. Second, it reflects the advanced partnerships that UH has forged over the years in successfully identifying and jointly pursuing funding opportunities. And finally, it increases the university’s contributions to our island economy. In spite of its success, challenges remain, and I stand with our Congressional delegation to continue supporting the mission and advances of UH.”
U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (Hawaiʻi – Second District)
“Achieving another landmark year reflects the extraordinary talent across the University of Hawaiʻi. These federal investments tackle our state’s unique challenges—from advancing rural healthcare and sustainable agriculture to protecting ocean resources. With White House budget cuts threatening these vital programs, our work is far from over. We must stand with our partners and fight to protect the funding that fuels this essential work.”
