Invest in K-State Innovation Centers
for grain, food, animal and agronomy research

Building on our strength

Kansas State University is emerging as the world’s foremost location for global food systems and bio-security innovations — and as a premier economic driver for the state of Kansas.

The growth of federal, state and private sector infrastructure and talent asset acquisition over the past decade have positioned K-State, and this region, as undisputed leaders.

The next bold step: Innovation partnership centers

Our plan for signature research and innovation partnership centers will leverage that momentum and attract additional corporate enterprises as partners. These innovative facilities and program evolutions will harness our unique strengths in:

• Grain science and industry
• Animal/food sciences
• Innovation in precision agriculture

These inter-related projects will diversify Kansas’ value-added food and agricultural economy, expand growth in the state’s top economic sectors, and support key pillars of K-State’s Economic Prosperity Plan by attracting businesses to the state throughout the entire value-added food chain.

Thinking beyond borders

The infrastructure of this project — both in its configuration and its functionality — will capitalize on collaboration between university scientists and embedded industry partners. Beyond elevating activities within K-State’s top-ranked College of Agriculture (Niche.com), the innovation centers will draw the brightest minds from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine.

Target outcomes

• Economic growth: Strengthen corporate attraction, job creation, entrepreneurship and the resilience and economic viability of Kansas’ agriculture industry sector.
  
• A specialized workforce: Increase the number of undergrad and graduate degree holders across broad food system and agricultural disciplines, as well as micro-credentialing for the existing agriculture sector workforce.
  
• Expanded research funding: Increase large, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional awards in support of research, innovation deployment, extension service outreach and workforce training.
  
• Public-private partnerships: Make K-State a model for public-private partnerships in food and agricultural systems innovation, including “hoteling” embedded private sector and federal research personnel in new and renovated facilities.
  
• Research centers growth: Enhance existing and grow the number of major centers funded by NSF, USAID and other federal sources, further building K-State’s reputation, network and footprint in global food systems.
  
• New solutions: Provide innovative production and business solutions for our Kansas stakeholders.
  
• Industry growth: Increase student recruitment, adding to the talent pipeline serving the economic needs of the state.

Expected benefits

Research universities drive new discovery, knowledge and deployment of innovation. This, in turn, catalyzes economic development, job creation and industry resilience. With Kansas as the undisputed center of activity in creating next-generation agricultural technologies and practices, global agricultural companies will choose to locate in Kansas.