A new article from the University of Kansas draws on IRIS reports to showcase how research activity is powering impact well beyond the university — bringing new discoveries, talent, and economic activity to communities across the Sunflower State and beyond.
The article features insights from the IRIS Spending Report and Vendor Profile Report. The reports encompass research spending across all KU campuses, including the KU Medical Center.
According to the article:
Research expenditures at KU supported the salaries of 5,696 people in fiscal year 2025.
The university spent $87.7 million in 78 Kansas counties on research-related goods and services in fiscal year 2025. Vendors in 22 of those counties received more than $122,000 in purchases.
Between FY 2020 and FY 2024, KU contributed $601 million to the U.S. economy, with spending from research funding flowing to more than 4,200 vendors and subcontractors, 1,076 of which were small businesses.