In a message to several leading WVU researchers late Sunday, WVU President Mike Garrison announced that fundraising will begin immediately to gather the $35 million in private gifts needed to unlock an equal amount of Bucks for Brains funds.

The West Virginia Legislature on Sunday approved a measure to place $50 million in surplus funds from the current years budget into the states new research trust fund. Seventy percent of the fund$35 millionis available to WVU if it can match the appropriation, dollar-for-dollar, with donations from alumni, corporate supporters, and foundations.

The opportunity is now ours,Garrison told the scientists.I look forward to the completion of the strategic plan and to begin fund raising immediately on its behalf.

Garrison credits West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, the leaders of the House of Delegates and Senate, and Chancellor Brian Noland with protecting the fund during the vigorous budget debate that concluded the Legislatures work over the weekend.

Id like to commend our elected representatives for their foresight in creating this fund, and their confidence in the excellent research faculty we have here at WVU ,Garrison added.We will work extremely hard to prove to them that this is a great investment for the state of West Virginias future.

Garrison said the full budget for higher education for 2008-2009 looks very good.We will closely analyze the details and share a more comprehensive review with the campus,he said.