Educational Research & Development
The Capital Region is home to a number of world-class research centers, many of which are a part of or work in direct partnership with our 20+ nationally ranked four-year universities and colleges, distinctive community colleges and research institutions.
The success of the Capital Region’s R&D Cluster has been enabled by our educational institutions, which deliver a pipeline of more than 4,000 STEM graduates annually. The interplay between our R&D and Education Clusters creates a unique environment for collaboration and innovation.
The region houses more than 710,000 square feet of academic R&D space for engineering – the seventh greatest amount among metros nationwide. Taking into account other fields, such as biotechnology and biomedical research, and physical science research, the region’s R&D space total comes to 1.6 million square feet – the 35th greatest amount nationally. On average, area university spend $574.4 million on R&D annually.
We’re Home to One of 6 GE Global Research Centers
The Capital Region is fortunate to be home to a Fortune 10 company, General Electric, and is also home to one of its 6 Global Research Centers in the world. GE Global Research in Niskayuna focuses on areas of: manufacturing & materials; aero-thermal mechanical systems; chemistry & chemical engineering; diagnostics and biomedical technologies; electrical technologies and systems; software science and analytics; and advanced technologies.
We’re Leading the World in Nanotechnology Research
SUNY Polytechnic Institute is one of the world’s most advanced university-driven research enterprises, with more than $24B in high tech investment and 300 corporate partners. The Capital Region’s nanotechnology cluster is a leading innovator in the semiconductor industry. For example, a next-generation test-chip with a 7nm node was produced for the first time ever in the Capital Region as a result of collaboration between SUNY Polytechnic Institute, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, IBM Research and Samsung.
More than Just Nano
Although nanotechnology is an important driving force in our R&D Cluster, the region also possesses a flourishing pharmaceuticals and medical devices cluster that is comprised of research and development located mainly on the University at Albany’s East Campus.
In addition to the above, the Capital Region’s R&D assets also include (but are not limited to):
- Albany Medical Center: Biomedical Acceleration Commercialization Center, Interdisciplinary Research and Clinical Trials Center
- NYCAP Research Alliance between Albany Medical
Center, RPI and the University at Albany - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Center for Automation Technologies and Systems, Center for Future Energy Systems
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute: SUNY Polytechnic’s Solar Energy Development Center, U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC)
- Union College: Science and Engineering Center
- University at Albany: The Cancer Research Center, RNA Institute
Funding Partners
