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| Is the Florida Research Consortium a membership organization? |
| No. The Florida Research Consortium is comprised of a governing and an advisory board. There is no general membership. The governing board is charged with the strategic oversight of the organization while the advisory board consists of those who recognize the importance of the FRC's mission and who wish to support the operations with a substantial yearly financial contribution. |
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| What is the relationship between Florida universities and the Florida Research Consortium. |
| The Florida Research Consortium's by-laws ask that the president of each state university, The University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University and the Florida Institute of Technology either join or appoint a member to the board of the Florida Research Consortium. In most instances, the university appoints the highest ranking university official involved in research (Research Vice-President or Provost). These board members, with the counsel and consent of their presidents and their respective board of trustees, advise the Consortium on strategic policy and resource initiatives.
It should be noted that the Consortium's by-laws call for more business (non-university) representatives than university representatives.
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| What does the Florida Research Consortium do? |
| As a public/private partnership, the FRC plays many roles in seeking to help translate cutting-edge university research into economic activity and societal benefits for Floridians. First, the organization advises state policy makers on strategic policies and investments they can make on behalf of Florida's citizens into university research. Secondly, we seek to enhance commercialization of that research by enhancing the collective connectivity of Florida university researchers and officials with the business community, economic development professionals and state and federal policy makers. These connections are sought through structured events, informal contacts and relationships. Finally, the FRC is working to inform Florida's leaders about the importance of university research to a vibrant technology economy. |
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| Does the Florida Research Consortium fund research, companies or organizations? |
| The Florida Research Consortium does not directly fund research. The FRC seeks long term investment in research infrastructure, generally in the form of facilities, equipment and world class talent. To date universities through their research foundations, private foundations and the Florida Legislature have funded these investments through appropriations to the Major Gifts Trust Fund, the Alec P. Courtelis Facilities Enhancement Challenge Grant Program, the Eminent Scholars Trust Fund or more recently, the Centers of Excellence Program.
The FRC does not fund companies or other organizations. |
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| What research does the Florida Research Consortium conduct? |
| The Florida Research Consortium does not conduct research. We are a strategic organization seeking to improve Florida university research, the commercialization of that research and the understanding of the importance of the same to a vibrant technology economy. Organizationally, we have no research arm. |
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| Does the Florida Research Consortium endorse or support proposals for funding? |
| As a general rule no. However, in certain instances, where the benefits to the whole of Florida's university research efforts are clear, exceptions will be considered. In those instances the technical merits of the proposal will be endorsed and advocated by university leadership. |
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| How is the Florida Research Consortium funded? |
| The Florida Research Consortium is funded through the voluntary contributions of it's business, university members and foundations. |
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