The evidence is clear: University research is a major driver of North Carolina’s economy, creating jobs and improving our quality of life.
Lawmakers in the NC House are stepping up to help North Carolina keep its leadership role in game-changing research. The House’s proposed budget for 2015-16 calls for an additional $2 million investment in promising research that has the potential to transform industries in the state, bringing total state support to $5 million.1
Priority research falls into five broad categories: Advanced manufacturing; data sciences; defense, military and security; energy; marine and coastal sciences; and pharmaco-engineering. These focus areas grew out of a close assessment of North Carolina’s future needs, as well as a listening tour of state business leaders, that were all part of the University’s 2013 strategic plan.
“These business leaders encouraged UNC administrators, faculty, and staff to focus attention on critical and growing sectors of the economy; to figure out ways to translate faculty research into new products… and to pay particular attention to the state’s fastest growing economic sector—health care,” the plan says.2
This business-driven approach is meant to create real impact for North Carolina’s economy and its citizens. A projection from the Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise forecast 30 patents, $70 million in external grants, 40 new companies with another $70 million in external funds and 4,300 new jobs if the state made the investments recommended in the plan.3
Last year, using $3 million from the state’s first round of game-changing research investment, the UNC system launched an intense competition to support some of the most promising research across the state.
Called the Research Opportunities Initiative,4 the innovative project won praise from policymakers across the country. Science Magazine highlighted the effort as an important state investment at a time when federal research spending continues to dwindle.
After reviewing more than 70 strong proposals, University officials chose six:
- Engineering carbon-based electronics, opening the door to a new era of advanced computing and microprocessing, far beyond the scope of current silicon-based technology. Led by NC State, with partners at UNC Chapel Hill and NC Central.
- Finding new insights from the growth of big-data and advanced analytics, helping companies and governments identify and mitigate hidden risks. Led by UNC Charlotte, with partners at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill.
- Creating nano-materials to deliver highly targeted therapies to patients, reducing side effects and increasing the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals. A partnership between NC State and UNC Chapel Hill.
- Developing renewable energy from saltwater gradients on the North Carolina coast, with the potential to transform electricity generation, power storage, and water treatment. Led by NC State, with partners at UNC Chapel Hill and East Carolina University.
- Producing life-saving drugs quicker and more cheaply using microscopic algae. This approach could help the fight against Ebola, West Nile Virus, and rabies. Led by NC Central University, with partners at UNC Chapel Hill and NC State.
- Identifying dangerous pathogens in marine water and seafood quicker and more precisely, using molecular diagnostics that can be packaged into a portable kit. Designed to help public safety officials and regulators make better decisions and avoid costly disruptions to the seafood and tourism industries. Led by UNC Chapel Hill, with partners at UNC Charlotte.
With the increased investment in its budget proposal, the NC House sees the promise in these game-changing projects, protecting North Carolina’s role as a leader in cutting-edge science.
As negotiators from the House and Senate work to finalize the state’s budget for 2015-17, we hope the Senate sees that promise as well.
Photo: Dr. Rachel Noble of the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences examines water samples in her lab taken from a beach near Morehead City
1 http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2015/budget/2015/House_Committee_Report_as_modifiedbyrules_2015-05-21.pdf, p. F13.
2 https://www.northcarolina.edu/sites/default/files/strategic_directions_2013-2018_0.pdf, p. 59.
3 Ibid, p. 63.
4 http://www.northcarolina.edu/?q=news/2015/02/unc-system-awards-research-grants-priority-areas
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