About the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit educational corporation that administers externally funded contracts and grants for and on behalf of the State University of New York. Since its establishment in 1951, the Research Foundation has facilitated research, education, and public service at 30 state-operated SUNY locations. The Foundation carries out its responsibilities pursuant to a 1977 agreement with the University.
Separate Status
The Foundation is separate from the University and does not receive services provided to New York State agencies or state appropriation to support corporate functions. The Foundation is responsible for its own financial, legal, and business systems, its personnel policies and employee fringe benefits program, and its payroll services. Employees of the Foundation are not indemnified under the New York State Public Officers Law, are not entitled to representation by the New York State Attorney General, and do not participate in the state's retirement and fringe benefits program.
Sponsored Programs
In fiscal year 2008, the RF managed over $784 million in grants and contracts from federal and state governments, corporations and foundations in support of some 7,600 campus-based research and training programs. The RF's project-related and administrative activities provide jobs to more than 17,000 people per year. The RF managed 289 new invention disclosures, filed 209 patent applications, executed 52 licensing and option agreements and generated $18.4 million in royalties from licensing SUNY inventions. The RF also received 44 U.S. patents, raising the total number of patents issued to the RF to more than 800. SUNY Cortland’s annual research expenditures total nearly $2.8 million and the RF employs approximately 100 people on campus.