Agency: USTAR

Line Item: USTAR

Intent Language

Under Section 63-38-8.1 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that any remaining amount of the $19,250,000 provided by Laws of Utah 2007 Chapter 1, "State Agency and Higher Education Base Budget Appropriations", Item 89, for the Utah Science Technology and Research Governing Authority Line Item not lapse at the close of fiscal year 2008.

Funding Detail

Program: Administration

Function

The USTAR Executive Director is responsible for day-to-day administration and provides staff support to the Governing Authority, which manages all of the components of the initiative.

Statutory Authority

UCA 63-38g-302 specifies the duties of the Governing Authority. The authority:

• Ensures that funds appropriated and received for research and development at the research universities and for the technology outreach program are used appropriately, effectively, and efficiently in accordance with the intent of the Legislature;
• Works with the administrations of the University of Utah and Utah State University to expand key research;
• Encourages technology transfer and commercialization of research and technologies developed at the research universities to create high-quality jobs and new industries in the private sector in Utah;
• Reviews state and local economic development plans and appropriations to ensure that the project and appropriations do not duplicate existing or planned programs;
• Establishes economic development objectives for the project;
• Makes rules for allocating monies appropriated for research teams and for the commercialization of new technology between Utah State University and the University of Utah;
• Verifies that the USTAR project is being enhanced by research grants and that it is meeting economic development objectives;
• Monitors all research plans that are part of the project at the research universities to determine that appropriations are being spent in accordance with legislative intent and to maximize the benefit and return to the State;
• Develops methods and incentives to encourage investment in and contributions to the USTAR project from the private sector; and
• Annually reports and makes recommendations to the Governor, the Executive Appropriations Committee, and the Economic Development and Revenue Subcommittee.

Funding Detail

Personal services is currently USTAR Administration's largest category of expenditure. This category includes the wages and benefits of the USTAR executive director and his staff.

Program: Technology Outreach

Function

The USTAR Technology Outreach Program connects USTAR research and technologies to regional colleges, universities, businesses, and entrepreneurs and encourages local commercialization of these technologies.

As of October, 2008, the Governing Authority has established a virtual innovation network, five outreach centers (Southern Utah University and Dixie State University co-location, Utah Valley State College, Salt Lake Community College Larry Miller Center, Weber State University, and the Utah State University Extension in the Uintah Basin), hired Technology Outreach Program directors, and hired analysts and interns to work with local companies, entrepreneurs, the universities, and regional stakeholders to increase commercialization activities.

Statutory Authority

The scope of the USTAR Technology Outreach Program is outlined in UCA 63-38g-202. The program:

• Brokers ideas, new technologies, and services to entrepreneurs and businesses throughout a defined service area;
• Engages local entrepreneurs and professors at applied technology centers, colleges, and universities by connecting them to Utah's research universities;
• Screens business ideas and new technologies to ensure that the ones with the highest growth potential receive the most targeted services and attention;
• Connects market ideas and technologies in new or existing businesses or industries or in regional colleges and universities with the expertise of Utah's research universities;
• Assists businesses, applied technology centers, colleges, and universities in developing commercial applications for their research; and
• Disseminates discoveries and technologies originating at Utah's research universities to local entrepreneurs, businesses, applied technology centers, colleges, and universities.

Funding Detail

Funding is allocated to the staff and resources for the Technology Centers.

Program: Research Teams

Function

UCA 63-38g-203 directs the USTAR Governing Authority to allocate monies to Utah State University and the University of Utah to fund science and technology research by USTAR scientists.

To date, the two research universities have 11 active teams and six that have recently been launched. The areas of expertise are:

Energy Innovation Focus Area (IFA)

• Biofuels
• Fossil Energy: Carbon Sequstration

Nanotechnology IFA

• Nano Micro Circuitry
• Nanotechnology Biosensors
• Micro & Nano Systems Integration

Brain Medicine IFA

• Circuits of the Brain
• Imaging Psychiatric Diseases

Biomedical Technology IFA

• Biomedical Device Innovation
• Advanced Nutrition
• Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine
• Synthetic Biomanufacturing

Imaging Technology IFA

• Diagnostic Imaging
• Imaging Technology
• Advanced Sensing & Imaging
• Space Weather
• Nanoscale & Biomedical Photonic Imaging

Digital Media IFA

• Digital Media

Funding Detail

As specified in previously-noted intent language, the source of financing for research teams is $11 million General Fund.

Program: Project

Function

During the 2005 General Session, the Legislature allocated $4 million ongoing from the General Fund to the University of Utah and Utah State University in SB 192 (High Technology Economic Development Appropriation) 'for recruiting to begin high technology research and development.' Section 13 of SB 75 (USTAR Initiative), passed during the 2006 General Session, reassigns this appropriation to the USTAR, specifying a $4 million appropriation from the General Fund to the USTAR Authority to 'provide funding for the Utah Science Technology and Research Project.' This funding is now included with the "Research Teams" program.

Funding Detail

Intent language in General Session 2006 SB 75 directs the Governing authority to devote $4 million General Fund towards the 'USTAR project.'