Overview

What is USTAR?

In March 2006, the Utah State Legislature passed Senate Bill 75 creating the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative. This measure provided funding for strategic investments at Utah State University and the University of Utah to recruit world-class researchers and build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research and development facilities and to form first-rate science, innovation, and commercialization teams across the State.

 

What is USTAR designed to do?


USTAR was created to leverage the proven successes of state by stimulating additional technology-based start-up firms, while significantly increasing technology commercialization, high-paying job opportunities, and business activity in Utah which will produce an associated expansion of the tax base.

 

What research will USTAR invest in?


USTAR funding is being used to recruit world-class research teams to Utah to be developed internally within strategic innovation focus areas where the State already has distinct competitive advantages. These strategic innovation focus areas are based upon existing University strengths that have vast commercialization opportunities and address large and/or strategic global markets. Utah State University selected three key innovation focus areas:

  • Center for Advanced Nutrition
  • Center for Active Sensing and Imaging (CASI)
  • BioFuels
 

How will research areas be strengthened with USTAR funding?

USTAR funding will help provide the necessary resources to recruit talented research teams to both Utah State University and the University of Utah.  These innovative  research teams are sought after based upon their strong record of collaborative research and technology commercialization.  USTAR-funded researchers will be expected to publish research results, grow their sponsored research funding, and promote technology commercialization by filing invention disclosures, patent applications, and  applying for business-related grants and programs.  This funding will also help support construction of a state-of-the-art research facility at both universities. Each structure will provide teams with the necessary infrastructure needed to advance innovation and commercialization in their respective focus areas. Additionally, funding will  support the Technology Outreach Innovation Program (TOIP), created to be the engine to drive commercialization activities. The TOIP’s mission is to support the accomplishment of USTAR’s financial, employment, and research objectives by lending experienced leadership, deep business understanding, and functional expertise to the most promising opportunities and focus areas. The program is led by five directors deployed across Utah with a regional focus. Each director heads an Outreach Center located at one of the State’s regional higher education institutions.

How much funding does USTAR have?

The legislature allocated $200 million to be used to support USTAR’s mission and objectives. Fifteen million dollars per year will be used to support research teams at both  Utah State University and the University of Utah.  Four million dollars will be allocated annually to establish and fund the Technology Outreach Centers.  One-time funding of $50 million was approved to be used in research facility construction.