The University of Georgia is enjoying its best year ever for research funding.

But UGA's record-breaking income for science projects might not last.

University researchers pulled in $176 million in public and private funding in fiscal 2009, topping the fiscal 2008 record by a million dollars.

But nearly $24 million was federal stimulus money that probably won't be coming back.

"We don't have a crystal ball," says Regina Smith, UGA's Associate Vice President of Research. "We're not sure. Odds are that our funding totals will go down. The economy is still struggling."

The stimulus funds will go toward hiring researchers in a wide variety of fields, including cancer, obesity and mental health issues.

Like any other research grant, the stimulus funds were competitive and Smith says, she's confident UGA can compete for funds even without the extra federal dollars.

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