Commonwealth Research and Technology (R&T) Strategic Roadmap

The Commonwealth Research and Technology (R&T) Strategic Roadmap is a comprehensive planning tool the Commonwealth will use to identify research areas worthy of economic development and institutional focus. It provides elected and other officials with priorities in key industry sectors that have commercial promise and that will be eligible for new Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) awards.

To accomplish this important charge, CIT worked in close collaboration with the Secretariats of Technology, Education, and Commerce and Trade; members of the legislature; the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP); the ten regional technology councils; colleges and universities; federal labs and other research institutes; and Chmura Economics & Analytics. This approach provides a critical evaluation of regional industry strengths and priorities, economic development initiatives, and strengths and strategic priorities at Virginia's universities and research organizations. Prospective opportunities are identified based not only on capability, but also on evaluation of the national and international climate.

Opportunities uncovered in the Roadmap will provide elected and other officials with information on technology sectors that show commercial promise and will drive economic growth in the Commonwealth. In areas where Virginia is already strong, investments made by the Commonwealth can help these sectors continue to maintain excellence; in areas where Virginia may show gaps but where market opportunities exist, investments will help strengthen these sectors and elevate Virginia's competitive position. Beyond this, the Roadmap willa lso help inform and align organizations across the state, including public and private universities.

Findings from the Roadmap will guide industry sectors and disciplines eligible for awards from the CRCF, which was allocated $6 million for FY2012. Research and technology areas eligible to receive funding for the CRCF are identified in the Roadmap and include:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Aerospace
• Communications
• Cyber Security
• Energy
• Environment
• Information Technology
• Life Sciences
• Modeling & Simulation
• Nuclear Physics
• Transportation

Awards from the Fund may only be made to applications that align with these technology sectors and further the goals set forth in the Roadmap.

R&T Strategic Roadmap

R&T Strategic Roadmap - Executive Summary

Code of Virginia Section 2.2-2221.2

Press Release - May 31, 2011 and Press Release - October 4