Sob story: Research awards focus on merit

The Oklahoman Editorial

Published: November 14, 2008

Monday was a defining moment for Oklahoma. As a state, we took a risk and invested $12 million in our future in the belief that money spent now on research and technology will pay long-term dividends.

But instead of applauding the EDGE research endowment’s inaugural awards, some of our neighbors up the turnpike only saw fit to disparage the occasion and gripe that no Tulsa-based projects received money. A Tulsa World editorial even hinted that the selection process might be skewed in favor of Oklahoma City, evidenced in part because the fund’s overseers haven’t visited Tulsa.

Despite that suggestion, it’s not up to EDGE officials to specifically reach out to Tulsa, Stillwater or elsewhere to solicit proposals. The process should remain based on merit and tied to the program’s stated objectives, not geographic equity. Would the newspaper complain if the money had landed in Ardmore, Woodward or anywhere besides Oklahoma City?

The $12 million pot was no secret. The board waded through nearly 100 proposals. Researchers in need of funding know where to look for money. The competition surely will get tougher in future years.

The idea behind EDGE is that the research investment will spark economic development that will help the entire state. Not just Oklahoma City. Not just Ardmore. And certainly not just Tulsa. This sob story of alleged inequity might be funny if it weren’t so frustratingly outrageous.

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