In the areas of research and economic development, the Board of Governors Office is responsible for implementing and administering the programs established by the 21st Century Technology, Research, and Scholarship Enhancement Act. In addition to managing the 21st Century Centers of Excellence Program, the 21st Century World Class Scholars Program, the State University System Research and Economic Development Investment Program, and the State University Research Commercialization Assistance Grant Program, the Board Office works to align research and development efforts with established statewide economic development strategies, increase technology-based business in the state, promote accountability in related research and economic development initiatives, and facilitate value-added job creation through continuous improvement in university research, entrepreneurship, and capital development programs.
21st Century Technology, Research, and Scholarship Enhancement Act Programs
The 21st Century Technology, Research, and Scholarship Enhancement Act (“the Act”), established during the 2006 Florida Legislative Session and amended during the 2007 Legislative Session and repealed in 2012, provided for the establishment of university-based Centers of Excellence, to give Florida a clear position of leadership in key emerging technology areas with the unique potential for economic and societal impact in the years to come. The Act also include the 21st Century World Class Scholars Program to provide matching funds to state universities in order to attract nationally-recognized faculty in the areas of the sciences, engineering, and technology and mathematics (STEM). Other programs under the Act included the State University System Research and Economic Development Investment Program and the State University Research Commercialization Assistance Grant Program
21st Century Centers of Excellence Program
This program was created to give Florida a clear position of leadership in key emerging technology areas with the unique potential for economic and societal impact in the future, through a competitive process to establish Centers of ExcellenceThis program was created to give Florida a clear position of leadership in key emerging technology areas with the unique potential for economic and societal impact in the future, through a competitive process to establish Centers of Excellence.
State University System Center of Excellence
Florida Atlantic University
- Center for Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology
- Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center
Florida International University
- Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development
Florida State University
- Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion
- Center of Excellence in Advanced Materials
University of Central Florida
- Laser Technology Initiative (aka Townes Laser Institute)
- Florida Photonics Center of Excellence
University of Florida
- Regenerative Health Biotechnology
- FISE Energy Technology Incubator
- Center for Nano-Bio Sensors
State University Research Commercialization Assistance Grant Program
The goal of this program is to increase commercialization of products and technologies that emerge from research taking place at state universities in Florida.
21st Century World Class Scholars Program
This program provided matching funds to state universities in order to attract nationally-recognized faculty in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). During the 2006-07 fiscal year, $20 million was allocated for this program, and 16 Scholars were recommended for funding
State University System Research and Economic Development Program
This program was established in order to enhance graduate education and enable state universities to become nationally competitive in science and technology-based economic development. In 2006, a total of $45 million in matching funds to eligible institutions was provided to construct and acquire cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, science and engineering research facilities and specialized equipment to support research programs, foster economic development, and accelerate Florida’s innovation economy. University eligibility was determined by certain criteria specified in the Bill, which provided $36.5 million for Level I institutions, and $8.5 million for Level II institutions. Based upon eligibility determination, Level I funding was divided between two SUS institutions (UF and FSU), and one SUS institution received Level II funding (USF).