Topeka ? Kansas’ three major universities reported increases in research funding, higher education officials told lawmakers Wednesday.

“Even with the success that has been achieved, I know that each of those institutions wants to do even better,” Reggie Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the Kansas Board of Regents, said.

Research at Kansas University increased during the last fiscal year by 8.4 percent from $224 million to $243 million, Robinson said.

Research funding has more than doubled at KU since 1995.

Kansas State University reported an increase in research funding from $171 million to $177 million, and Wichita State saw an 18 percent increase to $30 million.

The research funding was from a mix of federal, private and industrial grants, Robinson said.

He said passage last year of legislation to issue bonds for the construction of new research facilities at KU, KSU and WSU will help the state attract more research dollars.

Robinson said the increase in research funding enhances the state’s economy and puts students “at the cutting edge of their peer groups.”

For updates on this story, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Lawrence Journal-World.