SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Research at public universities in South Dakota is being squeezed by a drop-off in federal funding.

The Argus Leader reports the number of people at South Dakota State University paid through research grants and contracts has dropped from about 1,500 in 2012 to about 1,000 this year. At the University of South Dakota, the number has dropped from about 600 to about 450.

The reason is an end to federal stimulus funding coupled with federal budget cuts. USD Vice President for Research Mary Berry says the end result is less research productivity. The fear is that the funding environment will quash passion for research and send would-be scientists down other career paths.

Paul Turman with the Board of Regents says universities are looking at public-private partnerships as an alternative.

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