Cornell submitted an expression of interest March 16 to create a new applied sciences and engineering research center and campus in New York City. Cornell's proposal was in response to a request for expressions of interest sent out by the city of New York through the New York City Economic Development Corp.

Cornell Provost Kent Fuchs said the proposal is consistent with the university's goals to continue to enhance commercialization of research and technologies created at Cornell, as well as being more engaged with tech-sector businesses in New York City. The proposed CornellNYC Tech Campus would build on the university's legacy of interdisciplinary research and strengths in the academic areas most closely tied to innovation and commercialization in the tech sector.

"We are very excited that, through this potential partnership, we would strengthen Cornell's already significant presence in the city of New York," Fuchs said. "Cornell, with its thousands of alumni in the city, world-class Weill Cornell Medical College and many programs, has a very strong commitment to New York City. We believe the CornellNYC Tech Campus could be transformational."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office announced that New York City received submissions from 27 academic institutions for the new applied sciences campus.

"In contrast to the other universities submitting proposals, Cornell is unique as the land-grant university for the state of New York with a major presence in the city, and one of the world's top universities in applied sciences and engineering," Fuchs said.