About the Foundation

The Research Foundation of State University of New York, the largest university-connected, research foundation in the world, enables discovery through strong, behind-the-scenes support of research, education, and public service.

Under formal contract with the university, the Foundation supports more than 4,500 sponsored programs being conducted at the 29 state-operated campuses of SUNY. These projects, funded by government agencies, corporations, foundations, and other organizations, total over $372 million in volume annually.

Sponsored activities under way in almost every field, ranging from the arts to quantum physics, have a major impact on the quality of life in the state. SUNY researchers have pioneered nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, isolated the bacterium that cause Lyme disease, developed the first implantible heart pace-maker, and made hundreds of other innovative contributions. Today, the university ranks among the top ten research universities in the country in patenting new discoveries.

To facilitate such work, the Research Foundation administers contracts and grants and provides technology transfer services, fiscal support, computing services legal services, personnel and payroll services, internal auditing, and communication and publications services. Overseeing the Foundation's operations is a Board of Directors, composed of researchers, campus and university administrators, SUNY Trustees, and representatives of business and industry. The SUNY Chancellor serves as board chair ex officio. Sponsored programs functions delegated to the campuses are conducted under the supervision of Foundation operations managers - university officials appointed by campus presidents and approved by the Foundation's board. A Sponsored Programs Advisory Council, made up of faculty researchers and campus administrators, advises Foundation management.

Mission Statement

The Research Foundation serves State University of New York and the people of New York State by providing leadership and the highest-quality support for broad-based research, education, and public service programs. As SUNY's partner, the Research Foundation assures fiduciary responsibility to sponsors, principal investigators, and SUNY campuses, in an environment in which each individual is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

Introduction

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.

Why a Research Foundation?

The Research Foundation provides the independence and administrative flexibility to respond quickly to the special demands of sponsored programs in a manner that facilitates their scientific or technical execution; these are needs that could not be as easily accommodated through state processes.

The demands of sponsored programs include:

very short time frames (usually one year or less to complete the project)
need for prefunding expenditures prior to sponsor reimbursement
flexibility to hire project staff upon the project start date and terminate them upon project completion
purchasing supplies, equipment, reimbursement of travel costs, etc. when needed
subcontracting to third parties for special services
billing sponsors for payment
issuing financial reports

Governance

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of researchers, campus and system administrators, SUNY Trustees, and representatives of business and industry. The chancellor of the University serves as chair of the board ex officio.

Advisory Structure

A Sponsored Programs Advisory Council, composed of faculty researchers and campus administrators, provides operating advice to Foundation management.

Campus Operations

The Research Foundation consists of the central office working in conjunction with operating units at 30 campus locations across New York State. The campus RF offices are responsible for the day-to-day administration of sponsored programs including financial, human resources, procurement and reporting activities. The offices provide this support in accordance with federal, sponsor, Research Foundation, SUNY and campus guidelines. Sponsored program functions delegated to the campuses are conducted under the supervision of Foundation operations managers who are appointed by the Foundation's Board on the recommendation of the respective campus presidents.

Services

The Research Foundation provides services to SUNY campuses, campus-based foundations, affiliated corporations, and other research foundations. These organizations are provided with high quality, cost effective services, including:

Affiliated Corporations Establishment and Oversight
Human Resources/Payroll Administration
Information Technology Support
Purchasing and Payables Administration
Sponsored Programs Administration
Technology Transfer

Mailing Information

Mailing Address:

PO Box 9
Albany, New York 12201-0009

Street Address for Non-U.S. Postal Service Deliveries:

35 State Street
Albany, New York 12207-2826