Centers of Excellence
In 1984, the General Assembly and the Governor of Tennessee announced the creation of a new "Centers of Excellence" program for Tennessee public higher education. Selected through a statewide competitive process, the Centers of Excellence are designed to build upon the research strengths of the campuses of Tennessee Board of Regents and University of Tennessee. Their purpose is to focus on the capabilities of public higher education to serve the people of Tennessee by expanding the state's research base; thereby, increasing its national and international stature and its economic competitiveness. The Centers of Excellence at our state universities have been among the most productive section of the higher education enterprise in the state. They have brought in millions of dollars in research grants from federal and private foundations and have produced world class basic and applied research.
When the Centers of Excellence began, the total budget for the Centers was approximately $20 million. During difficult budget years, that have followed, funding has declined and is $17.7 million in the current year. The state appropriation is used by Centers as "seed" money to attract outside funding.
State funding provides an avenue for bridging gaps between disciplines and between the various stages of research. The Centers provide a neutral ground where scholars with similar research interest can develop research teams. In many Centers, state funding makes possible the dissemination or "spin-off" of research findings and the transfer of technology to business and industry.
Listing of Centers of Excellence
Austin Peay State University
East Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University
Tennessee Technological University
University of Memphis
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
University of Tennessee, Martin
University of Tennessee, Memphis
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
University of Tennessee Space Institute
