Research and Discovery
Advancing Science and Agriculture
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University drives research and discovery through its Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, building on 130+ years of national and international research leadership. CALS researchers span fields from agriculture, life sciences and social sciences, applying basic and applied science to tackle real-world problems. The Experiment Station’s collaborative model supports research within CALS and across other Iowa State colleges and units, as well as with partners globally to fulfill the land-grant mission of improving agriculture and communities.
Global Recognition and Impact
CALS research programs rank among the best in the world. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, Iowa State’s agriculture and forestry programs were rated No. 12 globally (top 4% of 477 institutions) and No. 6 in the U.S. Its agricultural and biosystems engineering programs consistently rank among the nation’s top programs (U.S. News).
The college is also a powerhouse in attracting competitive grants – it ranks in the top seven U.S. agricultural colleges for faculty with federal research grants and in the top ten for the total number of federal grants (2025 Academic Analytics). Over the last five years, CALS Experiment Station scientists have secured over $249 million (over $49 million annually) in external research funding (February 2025), fueling investigations that expand scientific frontiers. This strong funding base is diversified across federal agencies, industry, state and commodity groups, reflecting broad support for CALS research endeavors.
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$249Min external research funding over last five years
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Top 7U.S. agricultural colleges for faculty with federal research grants
