January 20-21, 2005

ITEM 126-2003-R0105  Increase Authorization to Construct a Clean Room in the Engineering Physical Sciences Complex; Montana State University-Bozeman

THAT: Consistent with the provisions of MCA 18-2-102 (b), the Board of Regents of the Montana University System authorizes MSU-Bozeman to construct a new Clean Room in the Engineering Physical Sciences Complex at MSU-Bozeman. This request increases the total authorized amount to $3,500,000.

EXPLANATION: 1. In 2003, MSU's Office of Research, Creativity and Technology Transfer received a $2,000,000 federal grant from the Small Business Administration to construct a clean room for fabrication, characterization, testing and packaging of micro-devices and other materials.

2.       Regents Item #121-2007-R1103 was approved at $2,000,000 to cover the original grant. Due to desirable design enhancements and increased equipment needs, MSU requested and received an additional $1,500,000 in funding from NASA in late 2004. This requires a total project authorization of $3,500,000.

3.       The Clean Room will be constructed within existing space in the Engineering Physical Sciences Complex and will house a proto-type, Micro-Device Fabrication Facility that will be used by MSU students, faculty and researchers. The facility will also be available for use by private sector, high-tech companies in Montana, subject to execution of a facilities use agreement.

4. This project will be financed with funds from two federal grants awarded to MSU (one in the amount of $2 million from the Small Business Administration and another in the amount of $1.5 million from NASA), and will result in no new programs. Securing this funding is a testimonial to the quality of the faculty at MSU. Importantly, having such a Clean Room facility will significantly contribute to Montana's economic development in at least two ways. Access to this facility will enable MSU to secure additional funding in the microdevice fabrication and nanotechnology research areas. In addition this facility will benefit several high-tech companies in Montana, enabling them to grow their operations.

5. This project requires the authorization of the Board of Regents and the consent of the Governor.