The University of Missouri is proud of new research numbers. M.U. announced this week federal research grants at the school reached $113 million this year. That’s a 65% increase over three years and a nearly 100% increase over five years. Vice Provost of Research Jack Burns says the school has focused on increasing research by hiring new professors and grant-writers, offering seed money for grant proposals, and working with Missouri’s congressional delegation. M.U. has a long way to go. The giants of research among big state schools, like the University of Michigan and Penn State, draw $200 million annually.