Cutting Edge: SD Research Initiatives

In 2003, Governor Rounds unveiled the 2010 Initiative, a five-goal proposal shaped by the input of South Dakota’s citizens. Goal Three of the 2010 Initiative is to make South Dakota a recognized leader in research and technology development. Heading this effort is the South Dakota Board of Regents, EPSCoR, and the Dept. of Tourism and State Development.

Developments from the 2010 Research Initiative include:

 

2010 Research Centers

2010 Research Seed Grants

New PhD Programs

Research Campuses

Research Network

 

2010 Research Centers

In 2004, South Dakota’s legislators allocated funding for specialized research centers now known as 2010 Research Centers. In 2006, two additional 2010 Research Centers were created.

Functions of the Research Centers

• commercializing new products and ideas
• creating unique state, university and public sector partnerships

Total State funding of the 2010 Research Centers has been $5.4 million dollars and the Centers earned additional funding through various grants totaling $27.8 million dollars. In total, these centers have had a $46.5 million impact on South Dakota’s economy.

Research Centers

1. Center for Infectious Disease Research & Vaccinology (CIDRV)
2. South Dakota Signal Transduction Center (SDSTC)
3. Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale (CAAN)
4. Center for the Research & Development of Light-Activated Materials (CRDLM)
5. Center for Bioprocessing Research & Development (CBRD)
6. Center for Drought Tolerance Biotechnology (CDTB)

Back to top

2010 Research Seed Grants

Quick Facts

1. Since July 2005, Governor Rounds has awarded nearly $1.3 million in Research Seed Grants to 54 faculty members at South Dakota public universities.
2. The awards are intended to help support faculty researchers
   
   
   • Develop research programs in their department
   • Become more competitive for external grants and contracts
   • Develop ideas with commercial potential
     
     
3. The grants pay for 25 percent of a faculty member’s salary for one academic year, plus one summer month’s salary. Under the terms of the grants, funding is matched by the faculty member’s university, so the researcher earns 50 percent release time and two summer months of salary to do research.

 

Recent Awards

 

2005: Governor Rounds awarded $445,000 in Research Seed Grants to 19 South Dakota public university faculty members.

2006: Governor Rounds awarded $442,425 in Research Seed Grants to 20 South Dakota public university faculty members.

2007: Governor Rounds awarded $376,377 in Research Seed Grants to 15 South Dakota public university faculty members.

 

Back to top

New PhD Programs

• South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR) created 12 new PhD programs in the state since 2005
• Total number of existing PhD programs is now 24
• Further programs are planned and the BOR hopes to have as many as 40 PhD programs in place by 2010

New PhD Program	Year	University
Nanoscience & Nanoengineering	2005	South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Computational Science & Statistics	2005	South Dakota State University & University of South Dakota
Physician Scientist	2005	University of South Dakota
Nursing	2005	South Dakota State University
Geospatial Science & Engineering	2005	South Dakota State University
Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences	2005	South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Information Systems	2006	Dakota State University
Electrical Engineering (emphasis in Energy)	2006	South Dakota State University
Biomedical Engineering	2006	South Dakota School of Mines & Technology & University of South Dakota
Chemical & Biological Engineering	2007	South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Pharmaceutical Sciences	2007	South Dakota State University
Materials Chemistry	2007	University of South Dakota
Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences	2007	South Dakota State University
Political Science	2007	University of South Dakota

 

Back to top

Research Campuses

Two technology/research parks have been created in recent years

1. South Dakota Business Technology Park in Sioux Falls
2. South Dakota State University Innovation Campus in Brookings.

The South Dakota Business Technology Park

• 200-acre piece of land just west of the USDSU Center and Southeast Technical Institute.

Among developments in the park are:

1. The newly completed 15,000-sq.ft. Business Technology Center which will also serve as a business incubator
2. 5 acres purchased by Avera McKennan Hospital for future development of a clinic or other building.

The South Dakota State University Innovation Campus

• 125 acres located adjacent to South Dakota State University.
  
•  A 30,000-sq.ft. business incubator is currently under construction and will be completed in September 2008.

Back to top

Research Network

In January 2007, the South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR) announced a pledge of $8 million from the Great Plains Education Foundation to cover initial costs of connecting South Dakota’s six public universities to a high-speed communications network for research.

•  The REED Network, will allow researchers in South Dakota to conduct simultaneous research with other institutions and government agencies around the country.

Back to top