Update on Norman Campus Research Briefing to the Norman Campus Committee and Audit and Finance Committee of the OU Board of Regents Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier Vice President for Research 27 January 2016
Why Does OU Have a Research Mission? OU is in the highest tier of US research universities (R1) Research creates new knowledge that Leads to new products & services Creates new technologies, companies and jobs Provides valuable hands-on learning experiences and problem-solving capabilities for students Writes the textbooks of tomorrow
The Research Enterprise State Federal Corporate Private Internat’l/Other (4%) (79%) (3%) (5%) (9%) OU Competitive Grant Proposals $356M requested in FY15 $102M received in FY15 $92M expended in FY15 Faculty Research Staff Students
Research is Self-Funded and Operates Like a Private Business Grants are beneficial to the funder and OU so the costs are shared Funding agency pays the Direct Costs OU Pays the Indirect Costs but is reimbursed The Vice President for Research budget is set equal to the Indirect Costs OU receives That reimbursement is invested internally to grow research (seed funding, start-up, retention, facilities, equipment, staff) The more research we do, the greater the Indirect Cost recovery, which is then invested internally in research, which leads to more Indirect Cost recovery, etc Research therefore is self-funded and spending occurs to grow research Indirect Costs of Supporting the Research Direct Costs of Actually Doing the Research Grant Budget
The Value of Strategic Investment: OU’s Radar Enterprise OU now leads the world in weather radar research and education The radar group brings in more than $1M/year in Indirect Cost recovery (and is growing) against an investment of 14 faculty (mostly existing lines) Total Norman Campus Expenditures Radar Expenditures
The Value of Strategic Investment: Retaining Star Researchers World renowned scholars who study societal views toward risk Came from Texas A&M, heavily recruited by others (even now) Retention package in 2010 of $100K ongoing and $100K one-time Combined expenditures $320K/year in 2010 Over $1M/year today Now lead two major organizations: Carol Silva and Hank Jenkins-Smith Professors of Political Science
Norman Campus Research Expenditures 2016 is looking better but recovery is slow $6.5M Sequestration Hit Begins
The Road Ahead Continue investing in our greatest strengths, especially radar and remote sensing, and build new capabilities around them Significantly enhance research engagements with private companies and recruit to Research Campus Pursue more large national center opportunities and build more linkages with major Federal laboratories Continue strong push in defense, security and intelligence research, where progress and returns on investment have been substantial