Economy

Research and Technology

Research and Technology

Research and technology are key components in the continued economic growth of the Hampton Roads area. As home to 11 colleges and universities, as well as an active business community, the Hampton Roads region has the potential to stay on the forefront of technology-based business and industrial activity.

Why is This Important?

An active research and technology base is important in attracting both the type of people and firms that can spur growth in the Hampton Roads economy. The benefits, however, go beyond economic growth. Research and technology can also help to improve the quality of life in the region. Through initiatives seeking to improve education, communication among organizations, and environmental sciences, the public at large can also benefit.

How is Hampton Roads Doing?

In the area of research, the Hampton Roads region follows the pattern for Virginia as a whole. In 2009, Virginia colleges and universities ranked 14th nationally for expenditures in research and development, 16th in federally financed research projects, and 8th for state and locally funded research. Three Hampton Roads colleges and universities rank in the top 200 among educational institutions nationwide in federally funded research and three rank in the top 200 for expenditures in research related to science and engineering.

Financing levels vary from year to year, especially with smaller institutions.

Research and Development Expenditures (in thousands), Adjusted to 2009 dollars

Institution	Rank	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Johns Hopkins University -- Leading in Nation	1	1,450,611	1,561,627	1,586,005	1,596,233	1,608,032	1,674,947	1,856,270
VT -- Leading in Virginia	44	288,934	305,226	318,558	342,367	379,694	371,953	396,681
Old Dominion University	154	35,357	39,545	51,636	53,172	53,943	66,301	71,909
William & Mary	174	51,272	56,127	55,085	55,364	51,584	54,894	51,169
Eastern Virginia Medical School	193	38,245	38,385	37,043	35,131	32,544	30,668	36,678
Hampton University	265	21,772	35,940	47,201	30,547	24,850	21,014	12,824
Norfolk State University	318	5,284	7,041	7,424	5,474	6,716	7,865	6,878
Christopher Newport University	519	2,396	2,304	2,132	840	734	802	1,038

Federally Funded Research and Development Expenditures (in thousands), Adjusted to 2009 dollars

Institution	Rank	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Johns Hopkins University -- Leading in Nation	1	1,290,686	1,396,280	1,403,105	1,391,354	1,410,128	1,420,030	1,587,547
University of Virginia -- Leading in Virginia	48	202,227	213,652	218,169	216,855	205,154	218,648	218,499
Old Dominion University	170	22,016	24,278	26,873	29,271	26,586	28,197	27,644
College of William and Mary	179	25,642	29,584	29,547	30,990	26,885	25,554	24,248
Eastern Virginia Medical School	180	17,992	19,909	21,936	20,644	21,336	17,437	24,083
Hampton University	230	21,474	35,710	47,007	30,418	24,663	20,836	12,662
Norfolk State University	289	5,135	6,876	6,651	4,918	6,206	7,261	6,306
Christopher Newport University	485	2,268	2,162	1,838	625	617	628	761

Science and Engineering Expenditures for FY 2009 (in thousands), Adjusted to 2009 dollars

Institution	Rank	Environ- mental Science	Math / Computer Science	Physical Science	Engineering	Life Science
Johns Hopkins University -- Leading in Nation	1	51,224	99,969	146,274	703,165	787,092
VT-- Leading in Virginia	43	7,324	16,624	21,212	163,437	168,495
Old Dominion University	149	7,091	3,693	7,450	37,459	11,056
College of William and Mary	176	31,277	1,346	5,851	0	2,915
Eastern Virginia Medical School	181	0	0	0	0	36,678
Hampton University	257	5,003	253	5,888	1,369	149
Norfolk State University	302	1	1,219	3,961	10,126	307
Christopher Newport University	485	0	0	601	0	436

The commitment of the Hampton Roads region to research and technology stretches beyond the classroom and the laboratory. There are a number of organizations in the area dedicated not only to research, but also to the integration of businesses, research centers, and institutions of higher education for the economic and social benefit of the Hampton Roads region. The Hampton Roads Research Partnership (HRRP) and the Hampton Roads Technology Council (HRTC) are two such organizations.

The Hampton Roads Research Partnership (HRRP) is coalition of seven colleges and universities, two federal laboratories and a research institute seeking to establish Hampton Roads as a well-recognized research center and contributor to the prosperity of the region. HRRP has designated four "technological clusters," each one representing an area in which they believe Hampton Roads has the potential to make near term improvements and contributions to the economic health and quality of life in the area.

The Hampton Roads Technology Council is a member-driven, non-profit organization pushing forward a set of initiatives that focus on advocacy, communication and education. Through improvements in each of these areas the Council hopes to attract highly skilled individuals to the research opportunities offered in the area, and then keep them in the area so that their skills can benefit Hampton Roads.

Both organizations, and others like them, are involved in the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. The cooperation of such organizations, colleges, universities, businesses and governmental organizations alike is vitally important in harnessing the potential gains from research and technology.

What Influences Research and Technology?

A significant portion of research takes place at colleges and universities. The availability of funding from federal, state, local and private sources influences the level and effectiveness of research and technology in producing tangible gains for the region.

In addition, the ties among local government, businesses and research institutions can be important. Networking across these different sectors can provide support and guide research efforts along lines that make them more applicable to the needs of the region.