Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority, March 3, 2006

Dear Colleague,

The 2006 Minnesota legislative session is off and running, and I wanted to send a brief note about an exciting proposal the President announced yesterday in his State of the University speech.

It's called the Minnesota Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority and it's a creative new way to finance our very expensive research buildings.  The current model of providing capital funds for public institutions usually results in approximately $5 million dollars per project spread broadly throughout the state of Minnesota.  It is, of course, a political process and pits investments in future health breakthroughs against public parks and trails in legislators' districts.  And, our bioscience research buildings can cost upwards of $60 to $80 million each.

Therefore, in an effort to retain the state's strong leadership in biosciences and health breakthroughs while positioning the University for a strong future, we are proposing the establishment of a separate facilities funding authority targeted only to biomedical sciences research facilities.  It would be funded through a small annual transfer of state tax funds, up to $330 million total over 10 years.  That amount would provide financing for five new buildings in the next ten years - space that is critical to our ability to compete with other states and regions for sponsored research funding.

There will be more details later - plus ways to help in the effort to promote this creative idea with your legislator.  For now, we are pleased that the University is offering such strong support for the future of health sciences in Minnesota.

Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair