The Office of Research and Economic Development was established in 2005 to link research from the four University of Missouri campuses with emerging and existing firms across the state and around the world. Working closely with the chief research officers and chancellors from each campus, the office also serves as a conduit to local, state and federal agencies to ensure research results aid the growth of the Missouri economy.

The office's vision is to enable and lead Missouri’s transformation toward a knowledge-based economy dependent upon innovation and entrepreneurship. The office is funded from revenue generated through the research parks and technology transfer operations.

Goals

• Better prepare the University's students for the demands of the future including citizenship and being a valued member of the workforce;
• Broaden and deepen the University's impact through the facilities and culture surrounding our campus communities;
• Stimulate innovation-based economic growth.

Current Strategies

• Increase opportunities for internships, jobs and exposure to innovation-based businesses by students/faculty;
• Continue reformation and improvement of the research and the accompanying process of technology transfer of results to the marketplace;
• Assemble a state-wide pipeline of facilities and service providers to increase new venture creation;
• Better market the University's ideas and technologies through public/private partnerships, especially in strategic areas such as the life sciences, information technology, nano/engineering, and financial services sectors;
• Initiate a focused international effort to engage East Asia in research and economic development projects.