Background

Established in 1980 as a nonstock, nonprofit corporation, SURA seeks to foster collaboration among its member institutions in science and engineering and to encourage new ideas for SURA collaborative programs that meet SURA criteria for support.

Milestones

Under contract of the DOE, SURA constructed The Jefferson Lab to probe the nucleus of the atom to learn more about the quark structure of matter.

In the mid-80’s, SURAnet was created as the first regional IT network. Initially funded by the National Science Foundation, it was sold to the private sector in 1995. A major new SURA initiative in coastal research began in 2001.

SURA efforts and financial support are currently focused on Jefferson Lab programs, post-SURAnet IT initiatives in networking and applications, and in coastal research.

Projects considered for SURA sponsorship must meet the following criteria:

• High standards of scientific excellence;
• Contribute significantly to the nation's research capabilities and the advancement of science;
• Best be handled by a consortium, rather than a single institution;
• Strengthen the scientific stature of the participating institutions and benefit the Southeast; and,
• Draw on inspired, dedicated leadership.