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. Chicago State University will develop strategies to identify those programs and individuals within the university that have the potential for increasing minority participation in the sciences. The need for this institution to assess its research capabilities and to increase the participation of minorities in research was well documented. The Foundation has supported this project since the proposed work will lead to increased research performance in an urban university.
