Central Support Program

In response to recommendations detailed by the Task Force for Core Sustainability, the Research and Innovation Office launched the Central Support Program for Core Facilities (CSP). 

The CSP is a cross-campus initiative designed to provide sustained, coordinated support for Core Facilities that focuses both on near-term impact and long-term vision for strategic efforts.

With active financial participation from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Division of Natural Sciences, and the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the CSP seeks to align Core Facilities and Shared Research Resources around shared expectations and strategic priorities. The program supports the maintenance and advancement of technological capabilities and services that benefit both the Core Facilities’ home units and the broader research enterprise, while also providing seed resources for targeted, transformational investments. This initiative strengthens access to advanced technologies and expert staff that are critical to scientific discovery. By supporting Core Facilities, the CSP also aims to improve their financial sustainability and promotes the optimized use of our highly specialized, space-intensive research infrastructure.

Cores Executive Committee

To support the development and implementation of the CSP, the Cores Executive Committee (CEC) was established to advise the Director of Core Facilities and Shared Instrumentation. Comprised of representatives from multiple colleges, institutes and Core Facilities, the CEC provides guidance and recommendations that are central to ensuring the effectiveness, transparency and long-term impact of the CSP.

RIO and its supporters have allocated significant financial resources to our numerous Core Facilities. More than $725,000 has been distributed to our essential resources through three dedicated programs, the Core Facility Assistance Grant, Voucher Program, and Voucher Program—Undergraduate Investigator. These mechanisms not only help stabilize the foundation of our Cores, but also promote their use by enabling our undergraduates, graduate students, research staff and faculty to utilize the facilities in support their investigative needs. Initiatives such as these provide additional support to these force magnifiers and greatly expand their impact on our institution. The CSP aims to continue this tradition of assistance while looking towards the future to support the upcoming research activities of our institution and region.

Current CEC Members