UF research spending at record $942.2 million in 2020 despite pandemic University of Florida research spending rose 1.5% to a record $942.2 million in fiscal year 2020, according to a new report to the National Science Foundation. UF’s response to NSF’s Higher Education Research and Development, or HERD, Survey showed a $13.6 million increase in expenditures over the record 2019 total of $928.6 million, despite a two-month pause in most research due to the pandemic. “Despite the challenges of the pandemic during the final quarter of FY2020, UF researchers were able to post new records in research expenditures,” said David Norton, UF’s vice president for research. “This is a real testament to the commitment of UF’s scientific community and to the professionals who manage the research enterprise, even as we continue to effectively address the risks presented by COVID-19.”