Partners

There’s a strong spirit of collaboration in South Carolina. Leaders from government, academia, and industry have recognized that the state’s research sector can be very strong if they work together. By partnering, they can do more than any one of these groups could do alone.

The South Carolina Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE) Program is a team effort among government, academia, and the private-sector. Each group plays an important role:

State Government
South Carolina’s political leaders set the course for the CoEE program in 2002. At that time, the S.C. General Assembly approved the visionary Research Centers of Economic Excellence Act. Through 2009, lawmakers have appropriated $180 million to fund research and attract renowned scientists to the state’s three research universities—Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina. The state is investing in university-based research to fuel the knowledge economy and help create jobs in South Carolina.

CoEE Review Board
The CoEE Review Board, consisting of 11 members, is responsible for awarding state matching funds, for oversight and operation of the fund, and for various accountability requirements. The S.C. Commission on Higher Education staff provides assistance to the Review Board.

Private, Federal, and Municipal Investors
CoEE acts as a catalyst for outside investment in South Carolina’s research. Every state dollar must be matched dollar-for-dollar with private, municipal, or federal funds.  Some of South Carolina’s largest companies have stepped up to invest in CoEE, including BMW, Michelin, Timken, and organizations such as the Duke Endowment. By investing in CoEE, these partners have an opportunity to build a strategic alliance with South Carolina’s research universities and world-class faculty.

Research Universities

South Carolina’s research universities use state and private CoEE funds to attract high-caliber researchers. These scientists work in areas that hold the greatest promise for economic development and job creation in South Carolina. Through CoEE, the universities also build research infrastructure, enhance academic programs, and facilitate technology transfer to the business community.