Maine Economic Improvement Fund

Welcome

During FY09, the University of Maine System (UMS) received $14.7 million in MEIF funding. That appropriation helped university faculty and students successfully leverage nearly $58 million in grants and contracts. As stipulated in Maine law, the System directs MEIF dollars specifically to support university-based research in designated research areas. Read more in Welcome.

New in 2009: MEIF Small Campus Initiative

University of Southern Maine

Introduction

By leveraging MEIF funds, UMaine and USM have attracted a combined $58 million in federal and private-sector grants and contracts related to the seven strategic research areas. Read more in Introduction.

UMaine Highlights

Economic Development
Total new R&D funding in FY09 was $75 million. Of that amount, MEIF funds accounted for $12 million, which was leveraged to bring in an additional $50.7 million in external grants – exclusively in the seven target sectors.

USM Highlights

The University of Southern Maine invested $2.8 million in state MEIF funding to leverage $7.2 million in R&D awards from federal and private sector sources, a strong showing in a difficult economy and the highest R&D activity level to date for the campus. Read more in USM Highlights.

UMaine Narratives

Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded more than $712,000 to UMaine chemical and biological engineering professors Peter van Walsum and Clay Wheeler for a three-year project to create a high-quality transportation fuel from renewable biomass resources.

USM Narratives

Biotechnology
With one of the few transmission electron microscopy (TEM) laboratories in Maine, USM’s bioscience research staff are providing the region's burgeoning biotech industry with a valuable resource for commercial ventures.

Financial Information (Appendices)

Each year, the University of Maine System is required to report to the Legislature the use of MEIF monies. Included in this section, you will find tables showing the history of state research appropriation for operations, the FY09 summary of state funding for research capital projects for UMaine and USM, and additional financial documents. Read more in Financial Information (Appendices).

Contact Information

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