EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2006-36

WHEREAS, the Idaho Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program has proven to be vital to the science and research institutions of Idaho; and

WHEREAS, the EPSCoR program is directly responsible for over $124 million dollars in research return dollars to Idaho Universities; and

WHEREAS, the EPSCoR Committee, responsible for administering the EPSCoR program, has a seventeen year history of advancing research and development opportunities and championing education and science in Idaho’s institutions; and

WHEREAS, independence from all Idaho institutions of higher learning creates the best environment for objective science and research based judgment; and

 WHEREAS, the EPSCoR Committee would benefit from the independence found in relocation and establishment within the Office of the Governor;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me under the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho do hereby order the following:

     1)      The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Committee (EPSCoR Committee) be relocated and established within the Office of the Governor.

 2)      The EPSCoR Committee shall strive to increase the research and development competitiveness of Idaho by developing and using the science and technology resources of the State’s major research institutions and partner institutions.

 3)      The Committee shall achieve this by: 

a.      Stimulating sustainable science and technology infrastructure improvements at the state and institutional levels to increase the ability of EPSCoR researchers to compete for Federal and private sector research and development funding; and

b.      Accelerating the movement of EPSCoR researchers and institutions into the mainstream of Federal and private sector research and development support. 

4)       Members of the EPSCoR Committee shall: 

a.          Be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor for a term of 5 years except initial appointments to the committee which shall be apportioned in the following manner: 

                                                              i.      5 members shall serve for a period of one year;

                                                            ii.      5 members shall serve for a period of two years; and

                                                          iii.      5 members shall serve for a period of three years;

                                                          iv.      4 members shall serve for a period of four years. 

b.          The members of the EPSCoR Committee shall elect the Chair of the Committee. The Chair shall be a member of the EPSCoR Committee.