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Pennsylvania Gov: $500M for Bioscience Research Initiative

February 06, 2006
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Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is set to release his fiscal year 2006-07 budget request later this week, which is expected to significantly redesign the state's investment in biotechnology and life science research, according to materials released by the governor's office.

Since passage of Act 77 in 2001, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDEH) has used 19 percent of the state's tobacco settlement funds to fund biomedical-related research projects through the Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) program. The program provides formula and competitive grants to universities to support research priorities set by PDEH.

Gov. Rendell is proposing that the Commonwealth borrow $500 million to finance a new bioscience research initiative named after the late Pittsburgh scientist, Dr. Jonas Salk. The governor proposes to maintain half of CURE's funding level, but use the other half - or just under 10 percent of the state's share of tobacco settlement funds - to repay the bonds. The move is expected to provide greater flexibility in the use of the funds and hasten any economic development opportunities resulting from commercialization of research results.

If the request is approved by the legislature, the Salk Legacy Fund would provide dollar-for-dollar matching grants to the state's leading bioscience researchers in academia and industry. The fund would be administered by the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund board, to be comprised of university, medical research, bioscience, and public agency representatives.

Nearly $100 million of the $500 million pool would be used in "starter kits" to help academic medical centers, research colleges, and universities buy the necessary tools and machines to conduct investigations and experiments. The remaining $400 million would be used for grants and awarded to companies and institutions planning to build laboratories and incubators.

Gov. Rendell's budget is expected to be submitted to the legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 8. More information is available at: http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=449550

Pennsylvania