Research, Innovation and Education Initiatives Proposed in Kansas Budget

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius delivered her State of the State Address last week proposing new initiatives and continued funding for several TBED programs emphasizing education and innovation as key to the state’s future economy.



Gov. Sebelius announced a proposal to create the Kansas Innovation Consortium, comprised of leaders from business, higher education, and state and local officials charged with advising the governor on research and education priorities for the state to achieve an innovation-based economy. The consortium also would develop specific strategies for investing in innovation and entrepreneurship and develop metrics to measure innovation and determine if the strategy is successful. The governor is requesting $150,000 from the Economic Development Initiatives Fund (EDIF) for start-up costs associated with the new group.



Beginning with education, Gov. Sebelius said that high-quality teachers are critical to retaining more scientists, engineers and skilled technicians for the Kansas workforce. Therefore, the governor’s fiscal year 2009 budget recommendation includes $1 million for a new teaching scholarship program in math, science and technology, the STEM Teachers Service Program. The governor also proposes $250,000 in FY09 funding to the Kansas Academy for Mathematics and Science, a two-year residential program established by the state legislature in 2006. Opening in 2009 at Fort Hays State University, the program combines a high school diploma with college credits equivalent to an associate of arts or science.



The FY09 budget recommendation invests $2 million from the state’s Expanded Lottery Act Revenues Fund (ELARF) in a new Bioenergy Research Program through the Department of Commerce. The program would provide grants and low interest loans to finance the commercialization of new technological breakthroughs in bioenergy research. Commercializing new technologies will require significant capital, the budget documents explain, so the funding would be used to assist bioenergy companies and research institutes with the costs.



Under Gov. Sebelius’ recommendation, the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC) would receive $14.3 million in total funds (a slight increase over the FY08 estimate of $14 million), which includes $12.5 million from the EDIF and $1.8 million in federal funds. KTEC provides research support, direct company investments and business assistance to grow Kansas enterprises through technological innovation and business acceleration. Recommendations for the following KTEC programs include:

• $5.1 million for five centers of excellence across the state, which conduct innovative research and provide technical assistance to Kansas businesses;
• $1.5 million for product development financing, which provides funding for the applied research stage of technology, initial commercialization and matching funds for federal grants;
• $2.6 million for seven innovation and commercialization corporations that provide business development and financing to start-up technology-based businesses in Kansas; and,
• $3.2 million ($1.8 million from federal funds) for the Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center to provide business assistance in improving manufacturers’ technical capabilities.

The governor recommends $4 million from the EDIF to Wichita State University for a National Institute for Aviation Research Grant. The funding would be used to finance aviation research and build on previous state initiatives to help ensure the continuation of a strong aviation infrastructure. An additional $2.5 million from the ELARF also is included for the institute, representing a total $6.5 million investment.



The governor’s FY 2009 budget recommendation is available at: http://budget.ks.gov/gbr.htm