Background

The 海角社区 Economic Improvement Fund (MEIF) represents the ongoing commitment between the state, the private sector and our public universities, working together to advance research and economic development for the benefit of all 海角社区 people.

Since its establishment by the 海角社区 Legislature in 1997, MEIF has positioned the University of 海角社区 System (UMS) at the center of statewide efforts to leverage economic development through targeted investment in university-based R&D. MEIF continues to be funded through an annual state appropriation to UMS.

These funds provided through state appropriation to the University of 海角社区 System are dollars specifically provided to support university-based research, development and commercialization in the state鈥檚 legislatively designated seven strategic technology areas:

Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture
Aquaculture and Marine Sciences
Biotechnology
Composites and Advanced Materials Technologies
Environmental Technologies
Information Technologies
Precision Manufacturing

The University of 海角社区 and the University of Southern 海角社区 have well-established research, development and commercialization activities accounting for 97 percent of the MEIF activity. In 2009, the University of 海角社区 System established the Small Campus Initiative Fund to promote seven-sector research and development activity at the other five UMS campuses and, as of 2013, 海角社区 Maritime Academy (MMA).