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By Larry Hincker

BLACKSBURG, Va., December 19, 2005 -- On Dec. 7, Gov. Mark Warner released a major proposal to make direct state investments in research and development at state universities. On Dec. 16, the governor released his proposed budget detailing recommendations for each college and university.

The Dec. 7 announcement can be found here.

Of the $255 million state general funds he recommends, at least $44.5 million would be directed to Virginia Tech. The governor’s Dec. 16 budget proposal to the General Assembly includes building funds of $3.1 million for the Infectious Disease Laboratory and $13.5 million for ICTAS II building (Institute for Critical Technologies and Applied Sciences).

The budget proposal also included funds for operations including $9.0 million in Fiscal Year 2007 and $8.5 million in Fiscal Year 2008 for “Host Pathogen Environmental Interactions” and $8.7 million in Fiscal Year 2007 for the “Advanced Biomaterials and Nanotechnology.” The governor recommends $1.5 million for graduate student financial aid in both Fiscal Year 2007 and 2008 and an additional $8.5 million for Virginia Tech from the “Equipment Trust Fund” over and above its regular allocation in Fiscal Year 2007.

As noted in our Dec. 8 news story, the university could apply on a competitive basis for other research funds proposed by the governor.

Virginia Tech News also will report later this week on other budget recommendations for Virginia Tech in the governor’s proposal to the General Assembly.

Contact Larry Hincker at hincker@vt.edu or (540) 231-5396.

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