Seed funding is provided by a $2 million gift from Elizabeth and Richard Henes. Part of the gift is permanently endowed with dividends designated for future operations. Part is invested in a quasi-endowed fund to support the center in its first 10 years of operation.
Independent research and development funding generated by center activities is reinvested in the center and its affiliates to seed new research projects, support acquisition of intellectual property rights, and to contribute to existing and future research facilities on campus shared by center members.