The Expenditure by Research Field/Discipline page on the NSF HERD Dashboard provides a comprehensive view of how UTRGV’s research funding is distributed across various fields and disciplines. This page allows UTRGV to see where it is allocating funds within specific research areas and how its spending compares to the average of other institutions in the same quintile group, offering critical insights for strategic planning and resource allocation.

Key Variables and Comparison Metrics

1. Institution Expenditure (Purple Bar):
   • This metric represents the expenditure of UTRGV (or the selected institution) across different research fields and disciplines, such as life sciences, engineering, social sciences, and physical sciences.
   • It shows the actual funding level for each discipline, providing a clear picture of where UTRGV’s research investment is focused.
2. Quintile Group Average (Green Bar):
   • This bar represents the average expenditure of institutions within the same quintile group as UTRGV for each research field or discipline.
   • By comparing UTRGV’s spending in each discipline to the quintile average, users can identify areas where UTRGV is above or below average, revealing strengths and potential gaps in research funding.

Visualizations on the Dashboard

1. Comparison Tornado Chart:
   • The tornado chart offers a side-by-side comparison between UTRGV’s expenditure (purple bars) and the quintile group average (green bars) for each research field or discipline.
   • This chart is useful for quickly identifying disciplines where UTRGV is investing more or less than the average of peer institutions within its quintile group. For instance, if UTRGV’s expenditure in life sciences is significantly higher than the quintile average, this may indicate a research strength in that field.
   • Conversely, if UTRGV is below average in disciplines like engineering or physical sciences, the chart highlights areas where additional investment might help UTRGV reach the quintile benchmark.
2. Yearly Expenditure Trend by Research Field/Discipline (Line Chart):
   • The line chart displays funding trends over multiple years for each research discipline, offering a long-term view of UTRGV’s spending patterns.
   • Each line represents a different field, such as social sciences or geosciences, enabling users to see how funding for each area has grown or fluctuated over time. For example, if funding for life sciences has consistently increased, this might indicate a strategic focus or growing research demand in that area.
   • This trend analysis helps UTRGV identify which fields have steady or growing funding, which may be critical for aligning future resource allocations and research priorities.

How to Use the Expenditure by Research Field/Discipline Page for Strategic Insights

This page is a valuable tool for UTRGV to analyze its funding allocations by discipline and make informed decisions about research priorities:

• Benchmark Against Quintile Peers: By comparing each field’s funding to the quintile average, UTRGV can see if it is allocating enough resources to remain competitive in important research areas.
• Identify Strong and Underfunded Disciplines: The comparison chart highlights fields where UTRGV exceeds the average, potentially indicating strengths, and where it falls short, suggesting opportunities for increased support.
• Analyze Long-Term Funding Trends: The line chart’s historical view allows UTRGV to track funding growth or declines in each discipline, providing a basis for adjusting funding strategies to align with research goals.

Purpose of the Expenditure by Research Field/Discipline Page for UTRGV’s Research Goals

This page helps UTRGV gain a clear view of its funding across research fields and assess its competitive standing among similar institutions. By understanding these funding patterns, UTRGV can:

• Prioritize Strategic Investments: If a field is below the quintile average but aligns with UTRGV’s research goals, the institution may choose to increase investment in that area.
• Strengthen Existing Research Strengths: For fields where UTRGV is above average, the institution can build on these strengths by showcasing them in funding requests and collaborative research opportunities.
• Align Funding with Research Vision: Monitoring expenditure trends by discipline ensures that UTRGV’s funding strategies align with its broader vision and goals, helping it build a robust research enterprise.

The Expenditure by Research Field/Discipline page provides UTRGV with the insights needed to effectively manage research funds, address funding gaps, and build a competitive research profile across diverse fields.