West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission releases new Science and Technology Plan

A new five-year strategic plan to further build West Virginia's science and technology sectors calls on the state to redouble its efforts and move forward in advancing the role of education, research, and innovation in its economy.

Vision 2030: West Virginia Science & Technology Plan (Vision 2030) identifies high-priority science and technology research areas of strategic significance to the state to align stakeholders around priorities that advance West Virginia's research enterprise and industry growth.

"Our updated Vision 2030 Plan is not simply another document-it's a living roadmap for building the essential infrastructure that supports our state and local economies," said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia's Chancellor for Higher Education. "We are seeing returns on our investments in science and research, from breakthroughs in institution-led innovation to tangible growth in our workforce and industries. This plan is our call to action: a blueprint for higher-paying jobs, robust economic development, and a future in which our state's commitment to science translates into real, measurable progress for generations to come."

The plan focuses on high-priority areas that represent growing university-based research and educational activities aligned with West Virginia's target industries and workforce goals:

• Life Sciences: Health Science; Agriculture; and Natural Resources Resilience
• AI/ML and Data Science: Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning; and Data Analytics and Data Science
• Advanced Manufacturing: Robotics and Autonomy; Manufacturing Efficiency; and Materials
• Advanced Energy: Energy Reliability and Efficiency; and Exploration and Production
  • Fundamental Research
  • STEM Education: K-12 Schools; Community and Technical Colleges; and Regional and Research Universities

The development of Vision 2030 fulfills a key requirement of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), which supports states like West Virginia that have historically lagged in competitiveness for federal research funding. The plan was developed with input from a variety of stakeholders representing government, industry, academia, and venture development organizations.

"Our mission is for West Virginia to compete and succeed in the global economy by increasing research capabilities and cultivating a highly skilled STEM workforce," said Dr. Janet Rorrer, senior director of science and research at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. "Through Vision 2030, we are advancing economic diversification rooted in innovation and talent. The investment of NSF EPSCoR and targeted state funding has helped support foundational sciences at our colleges and universities. We are strategically positioned to expand into high-impact areas that align with our state's economic development goals."

STaR Division: Science, Technology & Research, a division of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and the Science & Research Council, established by the West Virginia State Legislature in 2009, developed Vision 2030 with RTI International and Keen Point Consulting. It was approved and adopted by the Science & Research Council on June 26, and by the Commission on September 19.

The full digital version of Vision 2030: West Virginia Science & Technology Plan is available online now.

STaR Division: Science, Technology & Research provides strategic leadership for the development of competitive research opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The office directs NSF EPSCoR in West Virginia and manages the state-funded Research Challenge Fund.

RTI International is an independent, non-profit research and consulting institute headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC. RTI's mission is to improve the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. Keen Point Consulting is a technology-based economic development consulting firm located near Cleveland, OH.

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