California's success in advanced technologies rests in large part on the talents of scientists and engineers who have been students or faculty at the state's outstanding research universities.

Whether it is the Internet, biotechnology, communications, or any other high-tech industry, scientific and engineering leadership has been an essential factor (examples include Biotechnology and Communications).

The Industry-University Cooperative Research Program is built on an understanding of the role that research, knowledge, and people play in the new economy. As a result, a major emphasis of UC Discovery Grants is to help develop and train the next generation of California business leaders.