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 gain from the benefits of research and technology.

How is Hampton Roads Doing?

In the area of research, the Hampton Roads region follows the pattern for Virginia as a whole. In 2007, Virginia colleges and universities ranked 15th for expenditures in research and development, 17th in federally financed research projects, and 7th for state and locally funded research. Four Hampton Roads colleges and universities rank in the top 200 among educational institutions nationally in federally funded research and three rank in the top 200 for expenditures in research related to science and engineering.

Research and Development Expenditures (thousands of dollars), Adjusted to 2007 dollars

Institution	Rank	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Johns Hopkins University -- Leading in Nation	1	1,169,880	1,314,167	1,401,961	1,509,254	1,532,815	1,542,700	1,554,103
VPI -- Leading in Virginia	42	253,263	268,035	279,243	294,990	307,875	330,885	366,960
Old Dominion University	167	28,870	33,681	34,171	38,218	49,904	51,389	52,134
College of William and Mary	171	41,947	45,938	49,552	54,245	53,238	53,507	49,854
Eastern Virginia Medical School	200	30,733	32,930	36,962	37,098	35,800	33,953	31,453
Hampton University	221	10,722	12,755	21,042	34,734	45,618	29,523	24,017
Norfolk State University	311	4,664	5,725	5,107	6,805	7,175	5,291	6,491
Christopher Newport University	540	*	*	2,316	2,227	2,061	811	709

Federally Funded Research and Development Expenditures (thousands of dollars), Adjusted to 2007 dollars

Institution	Rank	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Johns Hopkins University -- Leading in Nation	1	1,029,968	1,178,484	1,247,400	1,349,453	1,356,049	1,344,692	1,362,836
University of Virginia -- Leading in Virginia	51	143,849	175,599	195,445	206,487	210,852	209,582	198,274
College of William and Mary	173	17,899	20,754	24,782	28,592	28,557	29,950	25,983
Old Dominion University	174	17,889	19,789	21,277	23,464	25,971	28,289	25,694
Hampton University	180	9,807	11,592	20,753	34,513	45,431	29,398	23,836
Eastern Virginia Medical School	190	13,334	15,072	17,389	19,241	21,200	19,952	20,620
Norfolk State University	284	4,627	5,650	4,963	6,645	6,428	4,753	5,998
Christopher Newport University	496	*	*	2,192	2,090	1,776	604	596

Science and Engineering Expenditures for FY 2007 (thousands of dollars), Adjusted to 2007 dollars

Institution	Rank	Environ- mental Science	Math / Computer Science	Physical Science	Engineering	Life Science
Johns Hopkins University -- Leading in Nation	1	42,422	105,521	129,480	535,222	692,380
VPI -- Leading in Virginia	42	7,910	13,411	18,638	146,402	167,765
Old Dominion University	167	5,094	3,695	6,481	24,343	6,250
College of William and Mary	171	34,262	696	4,747	*	2,283
Eastern Virginia Medical School	200	*	*	*	*	31,453
Hampton University	221	15,945	350	2,320	1,243	1,203

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 and develop 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 the 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.