The Minority Research Centers of Excellence (MRCE) program was established in FY 1987 to provide substantial resources to upgrade the research capabilities of the strongest and most productive predominantly minority institutions. This planning grant project lays the foundation for a plan that will increase the institution's quality of research and research-related training. Specifically, support for this project will permit the establishment of an MRCE advisory committee of scientists and engineers, local leaders, and industrial representatives who will assist the institution in evaluating its current and future potential for performing meritorious research during the next five years. Virginia State University will have five departments in the School of Natural Sciences reviewed internally and externally to determine the quality of their potential to move to a higher level of excellence. The five departments that will be studied are: Geological Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Physchology. This institution has the facilities and personnel to develop a Minority Research Center of Excellence. The Foundation has supported this project since the proposed work can lead to the performance of meritorious research and will increase the participation of minorities in science and engineering.
