Governor Phil Murphy Signs Legislation Re-Establishing Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology

“Research with NJ” Database Showcasing New Jersey’s Scientific and Technological Expertise Also Launched

NORTH BRUNSWICK –  Continuing his commitment to strengthen the Garden State’s innovation economy and better connect industry and academia, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Assembly Bill 3652, re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. The Governor signed the legislation at the Biotechnology Development Center (BDC) in North Brunswick and also unveiled the comprehensive scientific database Research with NJ.

“For eight years, New Jersey’s reputation as a hub for technology and innovation languished,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Today, I’m pleased to sign legislation that re-establishes the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology to spur long-term planning, research and entrepreneurship in the Garden State. When coupled with the Research with NJ database, we now have two new tools to help jumpstart the state’s innovation economy.”

The former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology was originally created in 1985 and became non-operational in 2010. The newly revitalized Commission will be established in, but not of, the Department of the Treasury.

Assembly Bill 3652 requires the Commission to appoint an Innovation Council from its membership. The Council will be charged with determining how to stimulate technology transfer between public and private research institutions of higher education and industry, including the transfer of information available from federal agencies.

“Now more than ever we need to support and promote science and technology in New Jersey with an emphasis on ‘innovation’,” said Senator Paul Sarlo, the chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “We have great research universities, a strong high-tech sector, and businesses that can effectively capitalize on innovative research and development. A commission devoted to this effort will help to facilitate the work and bring new ideas to market. We want to be on the cutting edge with new technologies that offer new opportunities.”

“Reinstating the NJ Commission on Science and Technology and adding ‘Innovation’ to its name both emphasizes the rich history and the importance to NJ of innovation as an economic driver. It also provides a focal point for the work we have already begun this year of spurring the creation of high-quality 21st century jobs for all New Jerseyans,” said Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, who is the chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. “The past work of the Commission accounted for economic growth, job creation and aid in the positioning of New Jersey as a global leader and I expect great things from this body of science and technology experts as we move forward.”

The Commission will be comprised of 17 members including the Secretary of Higher Education; the Commissioner of Education; and the CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA).

Sponsors of the legislation include Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, former Assemblyman Tim Eustace, as well as Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Robert Singer.

Governor Murphy was also joined by university leadership and officials from New Jersey’s Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) and the EDA to showcase the newly created Research with NJ database, which will provide access to the State’s cutting-edge research assets, with the goal of strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.

Research with NJ is a free portal that showcases New Jersey’s experts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including their professional backgrounds, publications, and achievements. The portal is structured and branded in such a way to encourage collaboration between entrepreneurs, businesses, and New Jersey’s academic research institutions. The portal can be accessed at www.ResearchwithNJ.com.

“The Research with NJ initiative supports Governor Murphy’s vision for a vibrant innovation economy by facilitating collaboration between the State’s vast technology and life sciences sectors and the thousands of university researchers continuously advancing new discoveries,” said EDA CEO Tim Sullivan. “Research with NJ serves as an economic development tool, as it provides a window into labs at our universities, allowing them to serve as a resource to industry, and creating opportunities for both companies and academics.”

Research with NJ currently includes nearly 3,500 faculty profiles from five public and private universities — New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Rowan University, Rutgers—the State University of New Jersey, and Stevens Institute of Technology. In addition, data from Montclair State University, which was designated as a research university in 2016, will now be integrated into the Research with NJ database.

“Collaboration between businesses and academic institutions will help to drive New Jersey’s innovation economy by creating opportunities for our institutions of higher education to engage with industry partners on national and global levels,” said Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis. “Each university integrated into the database adds visibility into its own unique body of research and the potential for more industry opportunities. We are glad to be working with all of the state’s research universities on this exciting endeavor, and we welcome Montclair State University and its researchers into the collaborativeResearch with NJ community.”

This robust body of information allows New Jersey’s entrepreneurs and commercial enterprises to readily find a university’s research, experts, and facilities to help them build innovative new businesses and products based on the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Research with NJ was developed under the leadership of an Advisory Board consisting of the participating research universities and industry representatives from the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, Choose New Jersey, BioNJ, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, the R&D Council of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Tech Council. The Advisory Board will provide oversight and recommendations to ensure the portal’s sustainability and success.

What Universities and Industry Groups are saying about Research with NJ:https://www.njeda.com/Press-Room/newss/Press-Releases/New-Jersey-Launches-Research-Portal-to-Drive-Indus