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2009 Session

Budget Bill - HB1600 (Introduced)

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Higher Education Research Initiative

Item 254

Item 254

First Year - FY2009Second Year - FY2010
Financial Assistance for Educational and General Services (11000)$2,600,000$7,500,000
Sponsored Programs (11004)FY2009 $2,600,000FY2010 $7,500,000
Fund Sources:  
GeneralFY2009 $2,600,000FY2010 $7,500,000

Authority: Discretionary Inclusion.


A. 1. Out of this appropriation, $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Commonwealth Technology Research Fund pursuant to § 2.2-22331.1., Code of Virginia.  These funds shall be used to enhance research opportunities assist in commercializing research developed at public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth Virginia in the fields of energy, conservation, environment, microelectronics, or lifespan biology and medicine.  accordance with § 2.2-2233.1 C. of the Code of Virginia. 


2. The GovernorInnovative Technology Authority shall establish an Advisory Committee on Competitive Research to develop guidelines for making the grant awards. These research grants are intended to encourage university collaboration, benefit economically distressed region(s) and/or under-represented populations, and attract industry-sponsored research and development (R&D). In promoting collaboration, the Committeeauthority shall positively consider collaborations between the historically black colleges and universities and other four-year colleges and universities.


3. Awards will be matched on at least a dollar-for-dollar basis by the respective institutions of higher education with federal funds, institutional funds, private funds, or any combination thereof; unless otherwise waived by the committeeauthority.


4. Out of the amounts identified in paragraph A.1., $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year from the general fund is authorized to be matched by the respective institutions of higher education to fund administrative costs.


B. Out of this appropriation, $6,000,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for Jefferson Science Associates, LLC to leverage a federal investment of $310 million for an upgrade of the Jefferson Lab's research facilities, which will maintain its leadership in the study of nuclear physics and secure the benefits of such a facility for the Commonwealth.


C. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the second year from the general fund is to be designated for the Hampton University Foundation to support the construction of a new center dedicated to the use of protons in the treatment of cancerous tumors with fewer side effects.  Funding is contingent on the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's provision of a report to the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, confirming that the Institute has a feasible financial plan for the project.


D. 1. Out of this appropriation, $1,600,000 the first year from the general fund is designated for the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) to support research and development of Virginia's marine renewable energy resources with a focus on offshore winds, waves, and marine biomass, including the generation of algal biodiesel.  This reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to research with an emphasis on the development of self-sustaining enterprises that continue beyond the 2008-2010 biennium.


2. The distribution of these cost-sharing funds shall be designated by the VCERC Board of Directors for proposals involving VCERC institutions working together.  Old Dominion University will fund the support for the VCERC organization as required and provide industry sub-contracting as appropriate to support research and industry collaboration.


3. The VCERC shall operate following the administrative model of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, employing the Old Dominion Research Foundation as its fiscal agent.


4. Funding contained in ED.1. is contingent on the VCERC and/or the member institutions being able to document existing financial investments in such research activities from other federal or private funds.


5. The VCERC Executive Director shall certify to the Director, Department of Planning and Budget and the authority, that the requirements contained in ED.2. through ED.4. have been achieved prior to the transfer from the general fund to Old Dominion University's appropriation.  It will be left to the discretion of the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, in consultation with the authority, as to the amount of funds that are transferred at any given time.