UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s well-deserved reputation as a global research powerhouse has been fueled by partnerships between the University and federal agencies that have provided support for research since the University was established. Those partnerships have put Penn State and other U.S. institutions at the forefront of scientific discovery, but that status will be at risk if key funding is cut, according to a compelling interview and analysis with Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State.
The interview with Read, titled “The Envy of the World,” appears in the Penn Stater magazine and is available online now at pennstatermag.com/read.
In the interview, Read speaks about how universities like Penn State serve as engines of innovation, training the next generation of scientists and engineers, and pioneering breakthroughs that affect every facet of modern life, from smartphones and artificial intelligence to cutting-edge cancer therapies.
Highlights from the article include:
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A historical overview of the federal-university research model and its role in U.S. prosperity and global leadership.
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A look at the scale and scope of Penn State research: last year’s research expenditures exceeded $1.4 billion, with substantial regional economic impact in Pennsylvania.
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A frank discussion about recent grant terminations (around 70 grants, $12 million to $15 million in funding lost) and looming threats such as caps on indirect cost recovery that could cost the University nearly $100 million annually.
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Insight into what alumni and friends of the University can do, from advocacy, to raising awareness of the research mission, to internship and philanthropic support.
As the University continues to navigate a rapidly changing funding landscape, this article offers a timely reflection on the importance of the research enterprise at Penn State and beyond. It underscores the link between publicly funded basic research and long-term innovation, economic growth and societal benefit — and the very real risks if the pipeline falters.
The interview, conducted by Ryan Jones (class of 1995), Penn Stater editor and interim executive officer of the Penn State Alumni Association, appears in the magazine’s November/December 2025 issue. Alumni Association members may access this and past issues via the magazine’s archive on the official website. For those who are not yet members, the website invites readers to join to gain full access.