CLOSING THE GAPS

RESEARCH

(PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE)

Advisory Committee on Research Programs

April 24, 2008

CLOSING THE GAPS Research -1 of 4 goals in Closing the Gaps Does not stand alone Interacts with/impacts other 3 goals

• Participation - impacts teachers and students

• Success - produces graduates ready to produce

• Excellence-contributes to national rankings

Builds the future for Texas

Goal 1Participation

For example--the Advanced Research Program supports science and mathematics teachers with summer grants to do research with ARP grantees• Impact: Strengthens the curriculum with

relevant experience, improves teacher retention, renews teacher enthusiasm, spurs students’ interest in and access to STEM higher education

Teacher Comments

“I think that this is a wonderful opportunity for high school teachers. Students gain so much from us when we have hands-on experience, real life examples to teach. My students have been impressed to find out that I have actually done research in a laboratory.”

Teacher Comments

“This project was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was able to work with some of the most inspiring and cutting edge scientists in the world. This made for an incredible learning experience.”

Goal 2Success

ARP/ATP have involved over past 20 years:• Undergraduate students - 10,605

• Graduate students - 17,498

Impact: Strengthened the educational process, improved post-graduate employability

96% of PIs and 90% of graduate students said the ARP program significantly contributed to educating students for their future

67% of graduate students said their ARP experience was more important than most of their classroom education

71% of students felt their ARP work made them a more attractive hire to potential employers

Educational Impacts: Training StudentsData suggest ARP is fulfilling its role of educating students:

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

ARP projects contribute significantly to producing graduates properly trained for their intended job markets and future career tracks.

89% of PIs agreed that the ARP was important to attracting outstanding graduate students to Texas

44% of the out-of-state graduate students (pre-matriculation) stayed in Texas immediately after ending their university program

83% of PIs said the ARP was important to attracting faculty

Educational Impacts: Attracting Talent

Data indicate ARP attracts outstanding students and faculty:

How important is the ARP grant program in attracting outstanding graduate students to your institution?

0.00%5.00%

10.00%

15.00%20.00%25.00%30.00%

35.00%40.00%45.00%

Goal 3Excellence

Using R&D funding as measure of excellence, Texas in 2006 had:

• Public Institutions Private Institutions

• 4 of top 50 5 of top 100

• 9 of top 100

• 14 of top 150

WHERE DOES TEXAS STAND?

All university/college R&D expenditure in 2006 was $3.27B

• #3 in US - behind #1 CA, #2 NY Federal R&D $’s expended in 2006 totaled $1.8B

• ~47% increase over 5 years (not adjusted for inflation)

• #4 in US - behind #1 CA, #2NY, #3 MD

Different if we consider on normalized basis• Texas below US average in number of metrics and more than

competition

Comparison of Selected Indicators: R&D

Indicator YR CA MD MA NY PA TX U.S.

Federal R&D Expenditure/Capita 2006 110 331 261 128 137 77 100

Academic R&D per $1,000 of Gross Domestic Product ($) 2005 3.88 6.87 6.5 3.75 4.84 3.11 3.63

2004 3.93 6.26 5.17 1.44 2.33 1.56 2.44R&D as Share of Gross Domestic Product (%)

Points to Ponder (Drs. David Baltimore and Ahmed Zewail)

Science Technologic Innovation Wealth

Raised standard of living in America Developer of new technology is best

positioned to benefit Young, energetic scientists are the

seed corn Research grants are the life blood

Points to Ponder (National Science Board)

Basic research -- major driver in the future for innovations new industries and new jobs enhanced global competitiveness.

Recent three-year decline in Federal obligations for academic research poses significant problems for academic researchers

Interrupts the steady stream

Points to Ponder (THECB Research Committee)

Dr. Hackerman: The 3 most important things needed for the Texas research enterprise:

• Produce a steady stream of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

• Produce a steady stream of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

• Produce a steady stream of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

Research is not a system of great discoveries but of consistent discoveries over a long time and the ability to make use of them.

Dr. Smalley:.

• ARP/ATP: very beneficial --not big enough.

• Vital that Texas be a player/leader in the transition of science to technology and to utilization.

• We need to attract and produce outstanding people

• Be bold/think big!

Points to Ponder (THECB Research Committee)

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?

Improve Advanced Research Program funding

Reactivate the Advanced Technology Program

Develop a new Competitive Enhancement Program focused on new, young faculty

ADVANCED RESEARCH PROGRAM

Increase ARP Funding - Current level $18M• Program is peer reviewed

• Solid accountability• ROI - approx 5:1

• Publications

• Student involvement

• Post-graduate employment

• Support a $40M program to the legislature

Advanced Technology Program

Reactivate Advanced Technology Program Provide a better link between academia and

industry Peer reviewed approach Past efforts had positive ROI:~5:1 Enhance technology transition process Support a $40M recommendation to the

legislature

COMPETITIVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

Support for academic research by the federal government currently lagging• Success rate at NIH ~12%

• Average age for first RO1 grant ~43 yrs

Opportunity exists to position our people to be more competitive earlier by funding, on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis, research proposals from young faculty

COMPETITIVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

This program would:• Increase our ability to attract young faculty

• Enhance the environment for careers in science

• Provide that initial support to get young faculty involved in research

• Develop a cadre of winners

The key success metric would be federal funding of future proposals at a rate above average U.S. success rate

COMPETITIVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

Funding level to be determined, with a tentative range of $20-30M, depending upon academic hiring plans

ACORP would be pleased to develop this idea further if the Board desires

SUMMARY

OPPORTUNITY exists to shape the future for Texas.

Research leads to technology which leads to innovation which leads to wealth generation for all Texans.