348.272. Centers for advanced technology may be established in university-affiliated research institutes--requirements, funding limitations--duties of department of economic development.
Centers for advanced technology may be established inuniversity-affiliated research institutes--requirements, fundinglimitations--duties of department of economic development.
348.272. 1. In order to encourage greater collaboration between privateindustry and the universities of this state in the development and applicationof new technologies, the director of the department of economic development isauthorized to designate centers for advanced technology. Each center sodesignated shall conduct research in specific technological areas identifiedby the Missouri business modernization and technology corporation as havingsignificant potential for economic growth in Missouri, or in which theapplication of new technologies could significantly enhance the productivityand stability of Missouri businesses. Such designations shall be made inaccordance with the standards and criteria set forth in subsection 3 of thissection. Centers so designated shall be eligible for support from thedepartment of economic development in the manner provided for in subsection 4of this section, and for such additional support as may otherwise be providedby law.
2. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:
(1) "Applicant", a university or university-affiliated researchinstitute, or a consortium of such institutions, which requests designation asa center in accordance with such requirements as are established by thecorporation for this purpose;
(2) "Center for advanced technology" or "center", a university oruniversity-affiliated research institute, or a consortium of suchinstitutions, designated by the foundation, which conducts a continuingprogram of basic and applied research, development, and technology transfer inone or more technological areas, in collaboration with and through the supportof private business and industry;
(3) "Corporation", the Missouri business modernization and technologycorporation;
(4) "University", any institution of postsecondary education, includingpublic and private universities, colleges, community colleges, vocational andtechnical schools, and other postsecondary institutions.
3. The corporation shall:
(1) Identify technological areas for which centers should be designated,including, but not limited to, technological areas that are related toindustries with significant potential for economic growth and development inMissouri and technological areas that are related to the enhancement ofproductivity in various industries located in Missouri;
(2) Establish criteria that applicants must satisfy for designation as acenter, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) An established record of research, development and instruction inthe area or areas of technology involved;
(b) The capacity to conduct research and development activities incollaboration with business and industry;
(c) The capacity to secure substantial private and other governmentalfunding for the proposed center;
(d) The ability and willingness to cooperate with other institutions inthis state in conducting research and development activities, and indisseminating research results; and to work with technical and communitycolleges in this state to enhance the quality of technical education in thearea or areas of technology involved;
(e) The ability and willingness to cooperate with the corporation, thedepartment of economic development, and other economic development agencies inpromoting the growth and development in Missouri of industries based upon orbenefiting from the area or areas of technology involved;
(3) Establish such requirements as it deems appropriate for the format,content and filing of applications for designation as centers for advancedtechnology;
(4) Establish such procedures as it deems appropriate for the evaluationof applications for designation as centers for advanced technology, includingthe establishment of peer review panels composed of nationally recognizedexperts in the technological areas and industries to which the application isrelated.
4. From such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose by thegeneral assembly, the department of economic development may provide financialsupport, through contracts or other means, to designated centers for advancedtechnology in order to enhance and accelerate the development of such centers. Funds received pursuant to this subsection may be used for the purchase ofequipment and fixtures, employment of faculty and support staff, provision ofgraduate fellowships, and other purposes approved by the department ofeconomic development, but may not be used for capital construction.
5. From such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose by thegeneral assembly, the department of economic development may provide grants toany one university or university-affiliated research institution for purposesof planning and program development aimed at enabling such university oruniversity-affiliated research institution to qualify for designation as acenter. Such grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis, and shall beavailable only to those applicants which, in the judgment of the corporationand department of economic development, may reasonably be expected to bedesignated as centers.
(L. 1986 S.B. 426 § 5, A.L. 1989 H.B. 249 & 47, A.L. 1993 H.B. 566)