Brown, URI secure federal grant to stimulate life sciences research in Rhode Island

Brown University and the University of Rhode Island have teamed up to secure a major federal grant through the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will stimulate life science research at the state's 11 institutions of higher education promoting life science-based economic development in Rhode Island.

A $198,835 NSF planning grant is the first step in making Rhode Island's colleges and universities eligible for up to $4.5 million in annual research infrastructure funding. The grant will also make it easier for researchers in the state to qualify for additional NSF research funding.

"Outstanding life sciences research is being conducted in Rhode Island, but until now, we have received less than our fair share of available federal research dollars," said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. "The National Science Foundation has created a means for correcting that inequity and our leading schools have organized to take full advantage."

"This program has tremendous value for Rhode Island. Not only will it foster additional scientific research at our colleges and universities - the very core of our economic strength - but every state dollar invested will bring two federal dollars in return," said Gov. Donald L. Carcieri. "I will soon be asking the General Assembly to support this important economic development program with an investment of $1.5 million. I look forward to working with the leadership of the General Assembly to ensure their support."

"We have strong scientists and researchers in Rhode Island who do great work in life sciences such as biotechnology. Increased federal funding will help them push the envelope of their research, increasing the prospects for scientific breakthroughs, exciting health and environmental improvements and protections, and significant economic development," added Sen. Lincoln Chafee.

The NSF is providing this grant under the auspices of its Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) initiative designed to assist those states that have historically received less than 0.7 percent of NSF research funding annually. The program aims to fulfill NSF's mandate to promote scientific progress nationwide.

"Brown is proud to have been a part of creating this unique partnership among all of the institutions of higher education in Rhode Island," said Andries van Dam, vice president for research at Brown University. "We all recognize that our individual success depends upon working together, and we believe that we are creating a model not only for research in the life sciences, but also for the future of academic partnerships in Rhode Island."

"This is a huge step for Rhode Island that will substantially advance research and training capacity in the life sciences and fulfill the state's vision for URI and Brown to serve as engines for Rhode Island's economic growth," said Jeff Seemann, dean of the URI College of the Environment and Life Sciences and the NSF director for the Research Innovation for Rhode Island (RI2) project. "The NSF is confirming we have a realistic plan for making Rhode Island a major player in life science-oriented research and technology development, and they are willing to back us with millions of dollars per year to accomplish that goal."

Additional partner institutions include Bryant College, Community College of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University, New England Institute of Technology, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Rhode Island School of Design, Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

The planning grant, secured in part because URI and Brown have demonstrated a $180-million combined commitment to the construction of new life science research and education buildings, funds an 18-month planning process to develop a full NSF EPSCoR program, including establishment of an NSF EPSCoR governing committee. Carcieri has appointed this committee, to be chaired by Paul Choquette, co-chair of the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council.

In July 2004, the R.I. institutions will submit a Research Infrastructure Improvement Grant that will generate $9 million in federal funds over three years for state-of-the-art laboratory research equipment, core biotechnology facilities, and to help attract outstanding scientists to Rhode Island. Future grants may focus on obtaining equipment for other areas of scientific research, like engineering or the physical sciences. Each Research Infrastructure Improvement Grant requires a 50 percent match of $1.5 million per year from the state.

In addition to the annual infrastructure funds, now that Rhode Island has become a National Science Foundation EPSCoR state, grant proposals submitted to NSF by researchers in the state can qualify for an additional pool of research dollars that are not available to other scientists.