A Letter from the Vice President for Research and
Economic Development

Funded by total sponsored program awards of over $68 million in fiscal year 2007, nearly $66 million of which are from federal sources, researchers at The University of Rhode Island continue to have a major impact on issues that affect the region, the nation, and the world.  The ongoing research projects at URI not only affect regional health and environmental issues but also affect critical issues that bear on our planet and all of its inhabitants.

While the scope of URI research goes well beyond our state borders, the economic impact of the URI research enterprise makes a significant contribution to the State of Rhode Island. It is estimated that the $66 million in federal awards, which represents new money to the State that we would not have otherwise, generates an additional $100 million in local economic impact, which in turn generates additional jobs, and state and local taxes. And, these numbers do not include the revenue and resultant economic impact that will accrue with commercialization of URI inventions.

I trust you will see that the research enterprise at the Universty of Rhode Island is definitely on the move. Our research programs span an impressive numbers of disciplines, which bring resources to bear on the problems facing Rhode Island, our country, and the world. We are proud to say that URI is a fully-engaged research university at the global level.

-from 2006-07 "Research and Innovation" Report