OCAST board approves $42 million budget request

August 26, 2008

OCAST’s governing board Tuesday approved a $42 million budget request the science agency will present to state lawmakers in the upcoming 2009 session. The request of some $19 million over the current budget reflects two new programs and increases in traditional programs to fund pent-up research demand that attracts private and federal dollars.

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology will ask for $5 million to fund a research equipment program and $3 million for a Centers for Industry Innovation program. Another $11 million will be requested to fund health research, applied research and plant science research which each year have qualified research projects left on the table due to limited funds.

“Our duty as the OCAST governing board is to support development of Oklahoma’s R&D initiative at a level based on sound judgment and solid evaluation. I believe we have done that today,” said Sherri Wise, board chair. “The staff and management at OCAST have well documented those areas where funding would have made a major difference in the past. They presented us a funding request based on solid evidence. It is my hope that Oklahoma can put this entire plan into action. This and future generations will be well served when we do.”

Michael Carolina, the OCAST executive director, said he has an obligation to advise legislators what Oklahoma needs as an investment in research and development. “We have an obligation to properly inform them. Our hope is that lawmakers and the state budget can support this request. Our state’s economic future is dependent on our properly funding R&D. The dividends for Oklahoma’s economic future will be tremendous.”

Details of the FY 2010 budget request follow: