Campus research funding
Part one of a three-part seriesThe loss of one of UW-Madison's world-known engineering centers has caused the University to lose millions of dollars in grants and exposed the obstacles researchers on campus endure to seek adequate funding for their projects. As a result, it may be difficult to attract researchers to campus.
The University's Applied Superconductivity Center will move to Florida State University this summer as Center Director David Larbalestier takes several colleagues and his grant money to Tallahassee.
FSU apparently made Larbalestier an unbeatable offer, one that highlights weaknesses in UW-Madison's research-funding strategy, especially as the University experiences severe budget cuts.
According to Brooks Keel, FSU associate vice president for research, FSU will invest $4.5 million to renovate a 15,000 sq. ft. facility for the Center as well as $2 million to pay for staff and equipment.
In contrast to FSU's upfront investment in the Center, most research grants at UW-Madison are supported by external, usually federal, sources according to Pat Farrell, executive associate dean of the College of Engineering.
Under this arrangement, UW-Madison pays faculty salaries, but faculty must seek outside support to conduct research in most cases. Farrell said many universities do not follow this funding practice.
Although UW-Madison has long employed this policy, in light of recent budget cuts, we basically have zero flexibility,\ Farrell said. The budget situation means the University cannot provide ""back-up funding"" if a faculty member loses grant support, he said.
As a result, UW-Madison is at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting and retaining faculty, since faculty want reliable support for research activities.
""We want to keep these people, but there's almost nothing we can do to make that happen,"" Farrell said.
In addition, FSU is also attractive, according to Larbalestier, because it houses the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, which is ranked best in the world and one of only three in the United States.
""There is a real synergy with us being there,"" Larbalestier said. He noted that the primary application for the Center's work is the generation of high magnetic fields.
After receiving FSU's offer, Larbalestier unsuccessfully explored the possibility of establishing a magnet lab at UW-Madison, he said.
Moving his research group to FSU will have a negligible impact on Wisconsin's economy, Larbalestier said. However, he said a recent report confirmed the importance of high magnetic fields.
""The Legislature doesn't seem to understand and doesn't seem to care about the fact that they don't understand the University. It's a great shame.""\
