The R.I. Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) is calling on legislative leaders and the governor to continue state support for early-stage research and development, saying the funding is an important investment in Rhode Island’s economic future.

STAC’s top priorities for 2009 are to ensure state leaders do not cut the council’s $100,000 budget or the $1.5 million allocated to grants for collaborative-research projects. They also hope to create a center to nurture startups slated to be named the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

In determining their key priorities for 2009, members of the three-year-old council appeared to accept that the state’s grim fiscal picture leaves little room for funding new initiatives. Instead, the focus will be on programs that leverage outside money or deepen connections between businesses, universities and other research-oriented institutions in the state.