University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation

The University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation supports and enhances the University of Southern Mississippi's research mission by promoting the increase of useful knowledge and encouraging the development of the university's intellectual properties.

The USM Research Foundation is a Mississippi non-profit corporation incorporated in 1998. It is organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi and recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. By its Articles of Incorporation, the Research Foundation is administered and operated exclusively for the benefit of the University.

The corporation's business affairs are managed by its three—seven-member board of directors, who are appointed by the President of the University of Southern Mississippi. Officers of the board are the president, vice president, and treasurer. In addition to the voting directors, the USM Vice President for Research and the Executive Assistant to the President serves as ex-officio non-voting members. An Executive Director manages the day-to-day operations.

The USM Research Foundation has an agreement with the University to manage and promote its intellectual property and to provide support for industrial contracts. The Foundation also assists the University in negotiating corporate and private research contracts. The values of new industrial contracts managed by the Foundation range from $1.5 million to $2.0 million per year.

The University also has a development agreement with the USM Research Foundation that allows the Foundation to expedite the process of entering into and executing leases with private sector companies who wish to lease property in the USM Research and Innovation Park known as The Garden, located off Classic Drive in Hattiesburg.

For further information, contact:

Dr. Kelly Lucas
Executive Director
USM Research Foundation
118 College Drive #5116
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
Tel: 601.266.5116
E-mail: Kelly.LucasFREEMississippi