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This study examined strategic funding approaches and research productivity in tertiary institutions in Cross River State. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of internal research grants, external research funding collaborations, and institutional budgetary allocation for research-on-research productivity in selected tertiary institutions. The study focused on University of Calabar, University of Cross River, and Federal College of Education, Obudu. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 1,780 academic staff drawn from the three selected institutions, while a sample size of 327 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula. Simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting the respondents. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire titled Strategic Funding Approaches and Research Productivity Questionnaire (SFARPQ). The instrument was validated using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), while reliability was established using Cronbach Alpha with coefficients above 0.70. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that internal research grants, external research funding collaborations, and institutional budgetary allocation for research have significant positive effects on research productivity among academic staff in the selected tertiary institutions. The study concluded that adequate and well- structured funding mechanisms enhance research output, improve publication rates, and strengthen academic innovation in tertiary institutions. The study therefore recommended that institutional management and government agencies should increase research funding allocation, encourage external partnerships, and establish transparent grant distribution systems to improve research productivity in tertiary institutions in Cross River State.

Strategic Funding Approaches, Research Productivity, Internal Research Grants, External Funding Collaboration, Budgetary Allocation. 1. INTRODUCTION Research productivity has become a major benchmark for assessi, competitiveness, and global relevance of tertiary institutions. Across the world, higher education institutions are increasingly evaluated not only by teaching effectiveness but also,