Technology Research Initiative Fund (TRIF)

News and announcements:

June 13, 2016

On Friday, June 10, 2016, the Arizona Board of Regents approved the Business Plan for NAU’s TRIF Program for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021.

Technology Research Initiative Fund (TRIF)

Proposition 301, passed by Arizona voters in November, 2000, added 0.6% to the state sales tax for the purpose of providing funds to the Arizona K-12 education system, community colleges and state universities. In response to Prop 301, TRIF was established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) to manage the funds intended for the three Arizona state universities. The TRIF agenda focuses on the following goals:

• stimulate entrepreneurship, innovation, and research and development to support Arizona’s knowledge-based economy
• increase access to higher education to prepare a skilled workforce to meet the needs of Arizona’s expanding economy
• invest in infrastructure that will:
  • promote research and development partnerships with business
  • enhance technology transfer
  • connect knowledge creators with knowledge users
• develop new programs and expand existing programs to prepare students for high technology industries in Arizona

Northern Arizona University faculty and staff carry out a variety of research & development, education, and workforce development projects under the following TRIF initiatives:

• Water, Environmental and Energy Solutions (WEES)
• Improving Health (iHealth)
• National Security Systems (NSS)
• Space Exploration and Optical Solutions (Space)
• Access & Workforce Development (AWD)