USTAR

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In March 2006, the Utah State Legislature passed Senate Bill 75 creating the Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR). This measure provided funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers and build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research and development facilities and to form first-rate science, innovation, and commercialization teams across the State.

This initiative seeks to generate more technology-based start-up firms, higher paying jobs, and additional business activity leading to a state-wide expansion of the Utah's tax base.

USTAR is comprised of three program areas - Research Teams, Research Building Projects, and regional Technology Outreach.

Research Teams: World-class research teams have been recruited to Utah and developed internally within six strategic innovation focus areas:

  • Energy
  • Biomedical Technology
  • Brain Medicine
  • Nanotechnology
  • Imaging Technology
  • Digital Media

Research Buildings: USTAR funding supports construction of state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research and innovation facilities at the U of U and USU. Each will provide research teams with strategic core facilities to advance innovation and commercialization in their respective focus areas. These facilities are designed to be "industry magnets" for innovation collaboration.

Groundbreaking for the USU building took place in October 2008, and the facility is projected to open in 2011. At the U of U, groundbreaking is scheduled for April 2009 with the facility (the first in the U of U's 20-year Campus Master plan) slated to open in 2012.

Technology Outreach Program: USTAR's Technology Outreach Innovation Program (TOIP) is the engine to drive commercialization activities. TOIP's mission is to support the accomplishment of USTAR's financial, employment, and research objectives by lending experienced leadership, deep business understanding, and functional expertise to the most promising opportunities and focus areas. This includes working with entrepreneurs, emerging and established businesses, academic researchers, and other innovation economy stakeholders.

The program is led by directors deployed across Utah with a regional focus. Each director heads an Outreach Center located at one of the State's higher educational institutions.

 

Related Links

innovationutah.com

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