Legislature to decide state grant program's fate in late spring

The University received almost $250,000 last year from the state program that helps SIUC attract more research grants, but if the Legislature heeds the recommendations of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, that money may be harder to come by. Illinois' matching grants program allows researchers at both public and private institutions to attract federal and corporate research dollars. During the fiscal year of 2005, which ends in June, the state doled out $9.5 million to 16 institutions.

John Koropchak, vice chancellor for Research, said the higher education board's recommendation does not come as a surprise because it suggested a similar cut the previous year. By the time the Legislature passed the budget, the program actually received an increase. But this wait-and-see game puts an extra burden on the University's research office.

"One of the problems it creates for our office is that we make matching fund commitments for the next fiscal year, and if they cut it, we will have to respond somehow," Koropchak said. Koropchak said his office will honor the commitments it made but if the Legislature does cut the program's money, it will put the University in an even tougher position for future commitments.

"This means we have to start planning now for what we can do for the future, and it would put us at a disadvantage for the future," Koropchak said. Don Sevener, spokesman for the board, said the state board did not want to cut the research grant program because it has been crucial for bringing federal and corporate money to the state, but it was the only way to advance its top priority. "We had some very difficult choices to make, and the grant programs became the source of funds that could get us to our primary goal, which was increasing student-based aid," Sevener said.

The competition for research grants is fierce, Koropchak said, and the state program gives the University an extra edge. Even though the University of Illinois received the most money at 27 percent, SIUC's funding was ranked fourth out of 16 institutions. The University also has its own matching grant fund, which comes from the indirect cost return of research. Koropchak said another way to get research dollars is to look to the industry for corporate dollars. But in recent years, the industry has cut back on the money it devotes to research, which greatly affects what universities can receive, he said.

For SIUC research, the fiscal year 2005 to date, which began in July and ends in June, is already showing record numbers with a $7 million increase from the year before. In the same data table, the University also posted nearly $1.5 million increase in external funding. Even though the University received about $250,000 compared to the U of I's $2.5 million, Koropchak said every bit of money counts. "In the big scheme of things, it's not a huge amount of money, but it will hopefully lead to greater returns," Koropchak said.