As research students, haven’t we all wondered why some research projects take off while others struggle to find footing? The answer often comes down to a single word—funding! There is a complex trail of funding that begins with writing grants for financial and institutional support, which in turn determines what areas receive research attention, who secures funding for the research, and how quickly that research progresses.

Research funding is a multi-trillion-dollar industry, wherein academic research, across the globe, is funded by a variety of sources, including governments, private industries, philanthropic organizations, and universities themselves. However, the way this funding flows into academia varies significantly across different regions.

In this blog, let’s follow the money trail of academic research funding—exploring its various sources and its impact in shaping research outcomes. Understanding the core of financial dynamics in academia—from government-backed initiatives to the growing influence of venture capital in university-born start-ups—can shed light on the global research funding landscape and the challenges that academia faces today.