Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-5060.12

A. The purpose of this section is to authorize the

establishment of two types of centers of excellence at institutions

of higher education or nonprofit research institutions: centers of

excellence for basic research and centers of excellence for applied

research, development and technology transfer.

B. Centers of excellence for basic research will primarily

undertake ongoing basic research that has potential for long-range

value to the state's economic development. The centers should build

on institutional strengths and conduct activity in areas of research

in which the participating institutions of higher education or

nonprofit research institutions have achieved or have true promise

of attaining a standard of excellence as recognized by national and

international peers.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 1080

C. Centers of excellence for applied research, development and

technology transfer will primarily undertake applied research,

development and technology transfer that has long-run potential for

commercial development. The centers should build on institutional

strengths and conduct activity in areas of research in which the

participating institutions of higher education or nonprofit research

institutions have achieved or have true promise of attaining a

standard of excellence in applied research and development.

D. The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and

Technology (OCAST) shall award funding to centers of excellence in

accordance with subsections E and F of this section.

E. OCAST may award funding from the Research Support Revolving

Fund for new centers and increased funding for established centers

only after:

1. Developing, adopting and publishing the criteria it shall

use when evaluating centers of excellence; and

2. Reviewing proposals for new or established centers of

excellence containing:

a. documentation, in the case of applied research,

development and technology transfer, that not less

than fifty percent (50%) of the center's total funding

will be provided by sources other than OCAST and other

than state-appropriated money; and, in the case of

basic research, documentation that not less than

twenty percent (20%) of the funding for centers

conducting basic research will be provided by sources

other than OCAST and other than state-appropriated

money; machinery or equipment may be considered as

part of the matching funds, but must be accompanied by

a statement that the center of excellence has received

the machinery or equipment, that it is appropriate and

useful to the program under review, and either:

(1) verifying that the machinery or equipment is

donated, has only been used in testing to ensure

quality control, or used by a wholesaler or

retailer for demonstration purposes only and

verifying the fair market value of the machinery

or equipment on the date of the gift, or
has received

the machinery or equipment, that it is appropriate and

useful to the program under review, and either:

(1) verifying that the machinery or equipment is

donated, has only been used in testing to ensure

quality control, or used by a wholesaler or

retailer for demonstration purposes only and

verifying the fair market value of the machinery

or equipment on the date of the gift, or

(2) detailing the price paid by the center of

excellence, with an invoice showing the amount

paid for the equipment,

b. a description of the proposed center's potential

contribution to the state's economic development

interests,

c. an itemized operations budget, and

d. other information that may be required by the Oklahoma

Science and Technology Research and Development Board.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 1081

F. The board may approve proposals to establish new centers of

excellence and increase funding for existing centers contingent on

the availability of funds and only after the board finds, based upon

the proposal submitted, external peer reviews, and such additional

investigation as the staff of OCAST shall make and incorporate in

its minutes that:

1. Each proposed center of excellence involves higher education

institution(s), nonprofit research institution(s), and private

enterprise;

2. Each proposed center of excellence is funded at Nine Hundred

Thousand Dollars ($900,000.00), or so much as is needed, per year

for five (5) years, above the annual appropriation for OCAST;

3. In the case of applied research, development and technology

transfer the proposed center of excellence has the potential to

stimulate economic development in Oklahoma by fostering partnership

among higher education institutions, nonprofit research

institutions, and businesses;

4. The center has the long-run potential to benefit existing

and new businesses through innovation and development of new

technology; and

5. Approval of the proposal will not create or foster

unnecessary duplication of programs, particularly at the graduate

level of instruction.

G. Any commercialized research that results from the funding of

a center of excellence shall be subject to negotiations and policies

pursuant to the provisions of this act.