In support of the university's projects on public health and prevention of the spread of diseases, the University of California, Davis, received $760 million in external research funding for the fiscal year 2015-2016.

The sponsorship came largely from the federal government, with the top contributors being the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of State, and the National Science Foundation.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, being the largest source of federal funding, granted $213 million in awards. The next highest sponsor, the Department of State, accounted for $53 million.

According to Interim Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter, "This marks the fifth year in a row that our sponsored research has topped $700 million." Last year, UC Davis received $786 million research funding.

"It's a reflection of the exciting work our faculty is doing to help solve some of the toughest challenges faced by California and the world," he said.

The UC Davis Center for Occupational and Environmental Health collaborated with the Division of Communicable Disease Control of the Department of Health for a project called Communicable Disease Emergency Response program. This was the largest award in the University of California system last year.

This has been awarded $48.9 million by the California Department of Public Health. The fund mostly came from the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the National Institute of Health, and the State of California.

The program aims on the implementation of analytical work in support of public health surveillance related systems. This will help in the development of public health action plans for California's population.

Dr. Marc B. Schenker, a professor in UC Davis' Department of Public Health Sciences said that such external funding is essential for them in doing research, noting that all his research is supported by external funded grants.

"Research funding has increased substantially over the past decade, and that reflects the quality and quantity of the research being done here," said Schenker about how the funding is recognition of the institution's excellent research effort.

With the UC system holding some of the most famous research institutions, it has become a major contributor to California's top industries. And UC Davis is particularly well-known for its research programs, which drives applicants to choose the school and get involved with research to gain better knowledge and understanding.