College of Health and Human Development ranked first in NIH-funding category
Health-and-Human-Development-Biobehavioral-Health-Bldg
May 6, 2026
The Penn State College of Health and Human Development (HHD) is the nation’s No. 1 school of allied health in terms of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.
The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR), an independent, nonprofit organization, publishes annual rankings based on the amount of funding received by research institutions from the NIH. For years, BRIMR has tracked funding of medical schools, hospitals, schools of public health, nursing schools, pharmacy schools and more. In 2024, the institute began tracking funding for schools of allied health, which prepare students for healthcare careers in fields beyond medicine, nursing and dentistry. HHD emerged at the top of these rankings in both 2024 and 2025.
Penn State HHD was awarded more than $29.5 million in research dollars from the NIH in 2025, far more than the next school on the list, which was awarded a little less than $19 million. This difference can rightfully be interpreted as a sign of Penn State’s research excellence, according to Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State.
“HHD’s distinction as the nation’s No. 1 school of allied health is a result of our exceptional achievements in health-related research,” Read said. “In recent years, Penn State as a whole has achieved record-breaking research expenditures. This ranking is further evidence that our sponsors have confidence in the research that we’re doing, that we’re doing it well and that it makes a difference in people’s lives.”
HHD provides undergraduate and graduate education in a broad array of health and human-science fields, including speech language pathology, audiology, kinesiology, physical fitness, human development, social work, neuroscience, behavioral health, health policy, dietetics, healthcare, hospitality, recreation and tourism management.
According to Craig Newschaffer, Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Schultz Dean of the College of Health and Human Development, the ranking is a testament to the quality, depth and breadth of research in the college, which not only advances science’s understanding of human health but also provides substantial opportunities for students to engage in hands-on research, develop critical thinking skills and prepare for impactful careers.
“Across the college, researchers are discovering new ways to improve human health and well-being by enhancing our fundamental understanding of key biologic mechanisms, determining how to best prevent and treat a wide range of physical and mental health challenges and learning how we can live life well at home and in our communities,” said Newschaffer, who also serves as professor of biobehavioral health. “Every day, our scientists are asking and answering the important questions that will better human lives, which is why the National Institutes of Health support our research far more than any other college working in these fields.”
HHD comprises eight departments — biobehavioral health; communication sciences and disorders; health policy and administration; human development and family studies; kinesiology; nutritional sciences; recreation, park, and tourism management; and the School of Hospitality Management. The college is also home to interdisciplinary research centers, including the Center for Healthy Aging, the Child Health Research Center and the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center. Almost every department and center in HHD engages in NIH-funded research.
College of Health and Human Development ranked first in NIH-funding category
Health-and-Human-Development-Biobehavioral-Health-Bldg
May 6, 2026
The Penn State College of Health and Human Development (HHD) is the nation’s No. 1 school of allied health in terms of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.
The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR), an independent, nonprofit organization, publishes annual rankings based on the amount of funding received by research institutions from the NIH. For years, BRIMR has tracked funding of medical schools, hospitals, schools of public health, nursing schools, pharmacy schools and more. In 2024, the institute began tracking funding for schools of allied health, which prepare students for healthcare careers in fields beyond medicine, nursing and dentistry. HHD emerged at the top of these rankings in both 2024 and 2025.
Penn State HHD was awarded more than $29.5 million in research dollars from the NIH in 2025, far more than the next school on the list, which was awarded a little less than $19 million. This difference can rightfully be interpreted as a sign of Penn State’s research excellence, according to Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State.
“HHD’s distinction as the nation’s No. 1 school of allied health is a result of our exceptional achievements in health-related research,” Read said. “In recent years, Penn State as a whole has achieved record-breaking research expenditures. This ranking is further evidence that our sponsors have confidence in the research that we’re doing, that we’re doing it well and that it makes a difference in people’s lives.”
HHD provides undergraduate and graduate education in a broad array of health and human-science fields, including speech language pathology, audiology, kinesiology, physical fitness, human development, social work, neuroscience, behavioral health, health policy, dietetics, healthcare, hospitality, recreation and tourism management.
According to Craig Newschaffer, Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Schultz Dean of the College of Health and Human Development, the ranking is a testament to the quality, depth and breadth of research in the college, which not only advances science’s understanding of human health but also provides substantial opportunities for students to engage in hands-on research, develop critical thinking skills and prepare for impactful careers.
“Across the college, researchers are discovering new ways to improve human health and well-being by enhancing our fundamental understanding of key biologic mechanisms, determining how to best prevent and treat a wide range of physical and mental health challenges and learning how we can live life well at home and in our communities,” said Newschaffer, who also serves as professor of biobehavioral health. “Every day, our scientists are asking and answering the important questions that will better human lives, which is why the National Institutes of Health support our research far more than any other college working in these fields.”
HHD comprises eight departments — biobehavioral health; communication sciences and disorders; health policy and administration; human development and family studies; kinesiology; nutritional sciences; recreation, park, and tourism management; and the School of Hospitality Management. The college is also home to interdisciplinary research centers, including the Center for Healthy Aging, the Child Health Research Center and the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center. Almost every department and center in HHD engages in NIH-funded research.
