Higher Education Research Council

The Higher Education Research Council (HERC) is responsible for implementing and administering the Board’s higher education research policy and the grant programs created by it. These programs are designed to stimulate competitive research at Idaho’s institutions.

HERC has worked diligently to attract projects that serve to strengthen the research capabilities and contribute to economic development in the state of Idaho. HERC was formed in the Fall of 1998 as a result of the Idaho State Board of Education’s interest in promoting basic and applied research at Idaho’s public, four-year institutions. Learn more about each institution’s research office below.

Institutional Research Offices

HERC Members

  • Dr. Christopher Nomura, Chair
    Vice President for Research and Economic Development
    University of Idaho
  • Dr. Nancy Glenn
    Vice President for Research and Economic Development
    Boise State University
  • Dr. Donna Lybecker
    Acting Vice President of Research and Economic Development
    Idaho State University
  • Dr. Fred Chilson
    Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Graduate Studies
    Lewis-Clark State College
  • Dr. Marianne Walck, Vice-Chair
    Deputy Lab Director, Science and Technology and Chief Research Officer
    Idaho National Laboratory
  • Ms. Eileen Barber
    Co-Founder
    Keynetics
  • Ms. Heather Messenger
    Expert
    Life Sciences and Biotech Industry

For more information, see the Higher Education Research subsection of the governing policies and procedures.

Higher Education Research Council Programs

These programs are designed to stimulate competitive research at Idaho's institutions, under the direction of the Higher Education Research Council.

Current HERC Projects

The Higher Education Research Council supports research efforts at Idaho Institutions through several programs, including IGEM, Incubation Fund, and Undergraduate Research grants.