On Campus Blog

The University of Minnesota's big push for more research funding

Although the University of Minnesota's research partnerships with industry have been fairly flat over the past few years, President Eric Kaler is on a campaign to give them a big boost, MPR's Tim Post reports today.

Part of the push was a recently announced -- and well-received -- change in policy in which the U will let companies keep the intellectual property rights to the fruits of the research they sponsor.

But Post also mentions a concern that's similar to one I've reported on today in a piece on the Humphrey School: that outside funding could inappropriately influence university research.

Post quotes chemistry professor and Faculty Senate leader Chris Cramer:

"One does want to make sure the research is not potentially tainted by researchers that feel they need to provide a certain result to maintain a funding stream."

Read the full story and listen to the audio here.