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Program Enhancements and Other Budget Adjustments
University of California Research - Keeping the State on the Cutting Edge
California is the national leader in innovation. California has more scientists, engineers and researchers than any other state. Supported by some of the world's finest universities and research institutions, California is responsible for one in four patents, attracts half of all venture capital, and provides 20 percent of all technology jobs in the United States. Research conducted at the University of California is one of the primary engines powering this innovation, as well as the state's economy, and is critical to keeping California competitive in the global market.
The Budget includes $95 million for four major projects: $30 million for the Helios Project, $40 million for the Energy Biosciences Institute, $19.8 million to the California Institutes for Science and Innovation, and $5 million for the Petascale Supercomputer project. These projects conduct research in the key areas of "clean" energy technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. These funds have the potential to leverage private and federal funding in excess of $1 billion.
HELIOS PROJECT
The Budget provides $30 million in lease revenue bonds for the Helios Project, a groundbreaking initiative by the University of California's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to create sustainable, carbon-neutral sources of energy. The Helios Project will produce the next generation of super-efficient solar energy technology that will help reduce greenhouse gases and our oil dependency. The Helios Project's four goals are to: 1) generate clean sustainable alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels; 2) develop new energy sources; 3) improve energy conservation; and 4) reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The $30 million in the Budget is provided as the state's share of a new $100 million, 100 thousand square-foot energy/nanotechnology research building for the Helios Project.
ENERGY BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE
The Budget provides $40 million in lease revenue bonds to the University of California for UC Berkeley or UC San Diego in the event that either wins a global competition for the BP's Energy Biosciences Institute grant. These campuses were among only five universities in the world that were invited to compete for this $500 million grant to build and operate an Energy Biosciences Institute, which will be dedicated to long-term research into the production of alternative fuels. The Institute will focus on converting biomass materials into fuels, converting fossil fuels to energy with less environmental damage and maximizing oil extraction from existing wells in environmentally sensitive ways. To accelerate California's movement towards a clean fuel future, the University of California will coordinate the Institute's work with the Helios Project.
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTES FOR SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
The Budget provides $19.8 million for the California Institutes for Science and Innovation. The four Institutes are a multidisciplinary research effort by the University of California - working in partnership with 275 private companies - to engage the UC's research faculty directly with California companies in attacking large-scale issues critical to California's economy and its citizens' quality of life. With the express goal of sustaining California's global growth and competitiveness, the CISI bring the world's finest researchers together to find solutions to our greatest medical and technological challenges and position California at the forefront of research, innovation and jobs. Information technology, biomedical research, nanotechnology, health care and energy systems are among the areas of focus for the Institutes. The $19.8 million will fund advanced technology infrastructure, personnel, and provide seed money to build new research teams. In just five years, nearly half a billion dollars in federal funds already have been brought to California by Institute researchers.
PETASCALE SUPERCOMPUTER
The University of California leads the world in high-speed computer technology and is poised to debut the next generation of supercomputers. The University of California is competing against institutions in other states to become the site for a new $200 million Petascale computer facility funded by the National Science Foundation. The Governor's Budget provides the first $5 million in state matching funds to enhance the University of California's bid. The Petascale computer, named for the speed at which it can process information, will be the most powerful computer in the world. It will provide an enormous competitive advantage to California businesses and universities, helping to attract the best students and faculty from around the world. The Governor's commitment of these funds will significantly enhance the University of California's bid for this groundbreaking project.
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS for
Higher Education Back to Top
PRINTABLE BUDGET DOCUMENTS Back to Top
Budget Summary - Higher Education (pdf * - 181K)
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Provides this entire Higher Education Chapter in pdf format.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back to Top
Proposed Budget Detail - Higher Education
Displays Proposed Budget Detail information for Higher Education.
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