The University of Iowa boasted its second largest grant and contract funding ever in fiscal 2011, but the $456.6 million remained 2.2 percent lower than funds received in 2010, according to a UI press release.

Officials said Thursday the decline is likely due to the a reduction in stimulus funds from the federal government — down from $40.8 million in fiscal 2010 to $33.3 million in 2011.

"Our faculty’s continuing ability to compete for federal funding at an extraordinarily high level, despite a more constrained funding climate …" Jordan Cohen, the UI vice president for Research, said in the release.

University officials are focusing on interdisciplinary cluster hirings —the latest being in genetics and obesity —in efforts to stay competitive in the face of decreased support, said UI Provost P. Barry Butler.

"We want to make sure that if it’s in an area where there is funding that we’re competitive," he said.

— by Ariana Witt