Missouri State University accounts for millions of dollars of grant-funded research each year. Faculty and student research conducted throughout the University system ranges in scope from the studies of grape genomics and meteor impacts to early childhood development and juvenile crime, and has the potential to positively affect local communities, Missouri, the nation, and, ultimately, the globe.

Missouri State University received $22.4 million from a total of 141 grants and contracts awarded to faculty and staff during 2007-08.

The principal focus of the University is applied research geared to serving the needs of diverse constituencies in the public and private sectors. In many cases, Missouri State graduate students participate with faculty in these various research activities, as well as conduct their their own original research for presentation and sometimes publication.

At a minimum, the graduate faculty at Missouri State give their students the opportunity to present that research to the University community via the annual Graduate Interdisciplinary Forum. In addition, student research is sometimes presented at conferences throughout the nation and abroad.