sea grant program in 1971. Membership in the Space Grant came in 1991, followed by Sun Grant membership in 2003. Only three schools in the nation held memberships in all four research areas at this time, a distinction that has helped OSU become a leading research university today. OSU received a record high $449.9 million in research funding for the 2022 fiscal year and has ranked as the state's top earner in research funding for over 50 years. OSU is also one of the top five doctoral university destinations in the nation for Fulbright Scholars (2022–2023).
== History ==
=== The 1800s ===
The university's roots date to 1856, when it was founded as a primary and preparatory community school known as Corvallis Academy. Corvallis area Freemasons played a leading role in developing the academy. Several of the university's largest buildings are named after these founders today. The early academy is recognized as the first to offer a postsecondary public education in the Oregon Territory. The first administrator …
