Durham Reporter

Duke University School of Medicine has been awarded $455 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2024, as reported by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. This federal funding is pivotal for advancing medical science and enhancing patient care.

In recent rankings, Duke School of Medicine is placed 13th among the nation's medical schools based on grants awarded during the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. Overall, Duke University received $580 million in NIH grants and contracts, securing the 11th spot among research institutions.

The funding supports scientists at Duke who are exploring significant questions about aging, disease, and human health mechanics. Mary E. Klotman, M.D., executive vice president for health affairs at Duke University and dean of the School of Medicine, stated: "NIH funding is the backbone of transformative scientific discovery." She added that these investments allow researchers to push boundaries in medicine but emphasized that "research isn’t just about bold ideas — it requires laboratories, data infrastructure, and skilled teams who bring science to life."

The Blue Ridge ranking provides an annual independent analysis of NIH research funds allocated to colleges and universities. In 2024, nine clinical and basic science departments at Duke School of Medicine were listed among the nation’s top ten:

Clinical Departments:

- Surgery ranked 1st

- Orthopedics ranked 2nd

- Anesthesiology ranked 4th

- Internal Medicine ranked 8th

- Neurosurgery ranked 9th

- Ophthalmology ranked 9th

Basic Science Departments:

- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics ranked 2nd

- Genetics ranked 9th

- Pharmacology ranked 7th

As a major public funder of biomedical research worldwide, the NIH's investment in institutions like Duke is essential for driving scientific research forward and translating this knowledge into tangible improvements for patients.