This bill creates a pilot grant program for higher education research funding. This bill: - defines terms; - amends provisions regarding the Nucleus Institute, including:authority regarding a facility on point of the mountain state land;renaming the Utah Innovation Fund to the Nucleus Fund;amending the appointment of certain positions and board members; andamending compensation; - allows the commissioner of higher education to undertake certain duties previously dedicated to the Utah Board of Higher Education (board); - creates a pilot grant program for higher education research funding; - requires the board to administer and approve funding grants, potentially through the Nucleus Institute, the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board, or an ad hoc committee; - requires the board to report on the research funding grant program; and - makes technical and conforming changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-59-202, 53E-10-310, 53H-1-402, 53H-11-402, 53H-11-403, 53H-16-201, 53H-16-202, 53H-16-302, 53H-16-303, 53H-16-304, 53H-16-402, 53H-16-403, 53H-16-404, 53H-16-405, 53H-16-406, 53H-16-407, 63I-1-253, 63J-1-602.2