About Us
The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) is accelerating Arkansas’ ability to compete in a 21st century economy by focusing on university-based research. Concentrating on statewide economic development, the ARA invests in university research and innovation that can incubate new businesses and create high-paying jobs in Arkansas.
The ARA partners with economic development sources including:
- existing businesses,
- new business from the private sector and
- new business from university-based innovation.
In 2007, the Arkansas legislature approved the appropriation of startup operational funding for the ARA from the state’s general improvement fund. With the support of Gov. Mike Beebe and the state legislature, funding was authorized through the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority, under the direction of President John Ahlen, Ph.D., and the ASTA board of directors.
The concept for the Arkansas Research Alliance was established several years ago through the work of Accelerate Arkansas, a statewide volunteer network of business leaders working to promote knowledge-based job growth in Arkansas. Accelerate Arkansas is dedicated to moving Arkansas forward in the 21st century economy by closing the gap in per capita income between Arkansas and the remainder of the U.S.
Upon completing a two-year study funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Accelerate Arkansas announced strategic recommendations for long-term economic growth in the state. The recommendations included five core strategies:
- Core strategy 1:Support job-creating research.
- Core strategy 2:Develop risk capital that is available for all stages of the business cycle.
- Core strategy 3:Encourage entrepreneurship and accelerated new enterprise development.
- Core strategy 4:Increase the education level of Arkansans in science, technology, engineering and math.
- Core strategy 5:Sustain successful existing industry through advancing technology and competitiveness.
The ARA was established to help achieve the first core strategy. The ARA's focus is on university-based job creating research as an avenue to developing a knowledge-based economy in the state of Arkansas.
Milestones
- 2007Gov. Mike Beebe hosts a meeting with chancellors and research leaders from Arkansas research universities and leaders of Accelerate Arkansas to discuss and explore the formation of the ARA.
- 2008Act 563 creates the ARA through the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority (ASTA) under the direction of President John Ahlen, Ph.D. State startup funds provided through ASTA for two years.
- 2008 // AprilOperating as a public-private partnership, the ARA officially opens for business.
- 2008 // JulyThe ARA privately funds the Battelle study – a fact-based, objective assessment for how best to advance job-creating research.
- 2008 // OctoberThe ARA board of trustees is installed during first board meeting.
- 2009 // AprilThe ARA releases the Battelle study during a press conference held at the Arkansas State Capitol.
- 2009 // OctoberGov. Beebe releases funding for the ARA Scholars program.
- 2009 // DecemberThe ARA receives grant funding from the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, the Walton Family Foundation and the ARA board to initiate pilot research conferences based on research focus areas defined in the Battelle study.
- 2010 // JanuaryThe ARA Scholars program is launched.
- 2010 // JulyInaugural ARA Scholars announced at the Arkansas State Capitol.
- 2010 // October & AprilARA Research Pilot Conferences held at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute.
- 2010 // AugustNewest ARA Scholar announced at the Arkansas State Capitol.
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