California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology

The California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology  is a $400 million academic research institution jointly run by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Calit2 was established in 2000 as one of the four UC Gray Davis Institutes for Science and Innovation.As a multidisciplinary research institution, it is devoted to conducting cutting-edge research discovering new ways in which emerging technologies can improve the state's economy and citizens' quality of life. Keeping in mind its goal of addressing large-scale societal issues, Calit extends beyond education and research by also focusing on the development and deployment of prototype infrastructure for testing new solutions in real world environments. Calit also provides an academic research environment in which students can work alongside industry professionals to take part in conducting research and prototyping and testing new technologies.Since 2008, Calit2 has implemented its strategic plan, Path Forward. The plan is based on the four core enabling technologies of wireless telecommunications, phototonics, nanotechnology and micro-electro-mechanicals systems (MEMS), and cyber space in order to digitally transform applications in culture, health, energy, and the environment.Partnering with companies such as Broadcom, Cisco Systems, Hitachi, and Google Earth, Calit2 has collaborated with more than 250 industry names on sponsored research, technology licensing, and spinoffs based on Calit2 inventions.The State of California provided a $100 million grant to Calit to support the design and construction of both campus buildings and facilities. Calit2 also receives support from other funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, CalTrans, and the UC Discovery Program.