2005 Minnesota Statutes

     116O.08 Regional research institutes. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment.  The board may 
 establish up to four regional research institutes in greater 
 Minnesota.  Each institute shall be located at or near a 
 postsecondary education institution whose primary focus is 
 comparable to the mission of the institute. 

    Subd. 2.    Purpose.  The purpose of the institutes is 
 to provide applied research and development services to 
 individuals, businesses, or organizations for the purposes of 
 developing the region's economy through the utilization of the 
 region's resources and the development of technology.  Research 
 and development services may include energy conservation 
 consultations, on-site research, product development grants, 
 testing of production techniques and product quality and 
 feasibility studies. 

    Subd. 3.    Institute administration; staff.  The board 
 shall appoint a director to manage the operation of the 
 institute.  The director may employ employees and enter into 
 contracts with postsecondary education governing boards for 
 research services of postsecondary institution staff, 
 facilities, or equipment. 

    Subd. 4.    Research contracts.  The director of each 
 institute may enter into contracts with individuals, businesses, 
 or organizations to provide research and development assistance 
 at institute facilities or at other sites the director 
 determines appropriate.  The board shall establish the overall 
 contract guidelines. 

    Subd. 5.    Product development grants.  The director of 
 each institute may provide product development grants to those 
 individuals, businesses, or for-profit or nonprofit 
 organizations that, without financial assistance, would not be 
 able to undertake the development of a product or 
 technology-related service.  The board shall establish 
 eligibility criteria and the terms of the product development 
 grants. 

    Subd. 6.    Institute advisory board.  A regional 
 research institute advisory board may be appointed by the 
 board.  The advisory board may consist of representatives of 
 public postsecondary institutions in the area surrounding the 
 institute, business owners, and members of the general public.  
 Terms and removal of members must be set by the board and the 
 members of each advisory board shall serve without compensation 
 but shall receive their necessary and actual expenses.  The 
 purpose of the advisory board is to provide the institute 
 director assistance in operating the institute, review contract 
 proposals and provide recommendations relating to product 
 development grants. 

    Subd. 7.    Designated research institute.  The 
 Agricultural Utilization Research Institute established in 
 section 116O.09 is designated as one of the regional research 
 institutes authorized under this section. 

    HIST: 1987 c 386 art 2 s 8; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 174; 1993 c 163 
 art 2 s 7