RD187 - Report on the Commonwealth Technology Research Fund: Advancing Technology and Economic Development in Virginia by Investing in Higher Education Research


Executive Summary:
In accordance with § 2.2-2233.1.E of Title 22, Chapter 22, Article 3 of the Code of Virginia, this report regarding the Commonwealth Technology Research Fund (CTRF) is respectfully submitted. The CTRF was created to attract public and private research funding for institutions of higher education, in order to increase technological and economic development in Virginia. Awards from the Fund were made to Virginia public institutions of higher education or their associated intellectual property foundations.

A total of twelve grants were made: seven in July 2001, four in January 2002, and one in January 2003, for a total of $24,574,630. Implementation costs (including honoraria for peer reviews) amounted to $45,992, for a grand total of $24,620,622 in expenses under this program. All twelve projects have been completed; three were completed in FY 2004, two were completed in FY 2005 and the remaining seven were completed in FY 2006. All grantees were required to submit annual progress and final reports, and this report is based upon their input. A summary of each project appears in the next section.

The impact of the CTRF was broad in terms of financial leverage as well as technology and economic development. From Tidewater to Central and Southwest Virginia to Northern Virginia; from bioinformatics to information technology to defense and homeland security, the CTRF led to significant benefits at participating institutions, their communities, and the Commonwealth in general. CTRF outcomes include increased federal funding, development of curricula and degree programs, intellectual property creation, and company creation. Most CTRF-supported projects will continue activities catalyzed by the Fund. Since investments in basic research and infrastructure often generate mid- and long-term results, future benefits to the Commonwealth can be anticipated. Highlights of achievements and activities since the Fund’s inception include:

Leveraged Funding – More than $167 million was leveraged by CTRF grant participants; this is more than a 6.7:1 return. CTRF recipients won nearly 200 federal, private, and foundation grants and received more than $6.8 million in donated equipment. Leveraging included a $5 million, 5-year commitment from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research for the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) at the University of Virginia (UVA), an $8.2 million award from the National Institute for Standards and Technology for the Commonwealth Information Security Center at James Madison University (JMU), a $10.3 million award from the National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease to the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, and a $14.7 million award from the Department of Defense, Research Development Engineering Command (RDECOM) for Pathport: A Common Asset for Biological Security.

Industry Inducement - Relocation of a leading bioinformatics company to Virginia – Incogen invested $2.4 million to relocate from South Carolina as a result of the College of William and Mary Industry Inducement Award. Incogen received a $2 million SBIR Phase II award for cancer diagnostics and currently owns and occupies a building in a new research and technology park in Williamsburg, VA.

New Companies –The creation of Adaptive Genomics Corp, in Blacksburg, was associated with the CTRF award to the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute. Adaptive Genomics currently employs five people.

Intellectual Property – CTRF award recipients reported 45 disclosures, patent applications, patents received, and licenses.

Economic Development and Outreach Outcomes – CTRF projects led to local and regional benefits. The CTRF-sponsored Battle Lab at Old Dominion University’s Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) increased the strength and recognition of the modeling and simulation cluster in Hampton Roads. A program to train K-12 teachers through an NSF-funded grant, leveraged from the CTRF, between CTRF-funded Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Galileo Magnet High School in Danville, VA. In addition, the Center for High Performance Manufacturing delivered more than one hundred presentations in more than 70 cities and counties in the Commonwealth.

Recruitment of Strategic Personnel – Many post-doctoral fellows, promising junior faculty and senior faculty with strong reputations and the ability to secure major federally-funded research were recruited to the Commonwealth’s institutions of higher learning. Expanded and upgraded research space, acquisition of powerful, cutting-edge equipment and other infrastructure improvements aided in the recruitment of top tier faculty.

Strategic Partnerships – CTRF funds fostered national and international collaborations between Virginia universities and academic and industry colleagues. The establishment of strategic partnerships with businesses and other organizations, such as the partnership between VCU, GMU, and INOVA that is working on cancer genomics and related diagnostic tools and therapies, has advanced Virginia’s leadership in technology research.

Upgraded Facilities – Renovation and upgrading of research facilities at UVA’s Gilmer Hall and the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center at Old Dominion University has significantly enhanced their ability to obtain federal and private funding.

Capital Equipment – Acquisition of major scientific equipment and computer hardware and software, enabled grantees to enhance their research programs, to attract additional funding and new research staff, and to enhance education and training.

Publications and Presentations – An indicator of the success of the CTRF program is the significant number of publications and presentations that have resulted. CTRF award recipients reported more than 750 publications and presentations.