(b) The purposes of the council include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. (1) Increasing the capacity of the state and state institutions of higher education to attract, implement, and use cutting-edge, competitive research funds and infrastructure;
2. (2) Providing expertise and policy guidance in science and research to the state, its agencies and state institutions of higher education regarding federal programs such as the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (“EPSCoR”) and similar state programs such as the West Virginia Research Trust Fund established in §18B-18A-1 et seq. of this code and the Research Challenge Fund established in §18B-1B-12 of this code;
3. (3) Encouraging research collaboration among public and private institutions of higher education and the private sector, both within and outside the state;
4. (4) Promoting education at all levels in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and
5. (5) Providing recommendations to the commission and state policymakers, including the Governor and Legislature, regarding science and research initiatives and effective programmatic activities, budgets, and investments to implement those initiatives.

(c) The council replaces the EPSCoR State Advisory Council and consists of fifteen members as follows:

1. (1) The vice presidents in charge of research at Marshall University and West Virginia University;
2. (2) A representative of health sciences at Marshall University and a representative of health sciences at West Virginia University, appointed by the deans of the respective schools of medicine;
3. (3) The State Superintendent of Schools or designee;
4. (4) The Secretary of Commerce or designee;
5. (5) The Vice Chancellor for Science and Research of the Commission;
6. (6) The Chancellor of the Commission who chairs the council;
7. (7) One member engaged in applied research at Marshall University and one member engaged in applied research at West Virginia University, appointed by the provosts of the respective universities; and

8. (8) Five members, appointed by the Governor, who have demonstrated interest, knowledge, skill, and experience in academic research and scientific innovation and who possess recognized credentials and expertise in one or more of the following areas:

   1. (A) Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (“STEM”) fields;
   2. (B) Cyberinfrastructure, information technology, or computer science;
   3. (C) Research and development;
   4. (D) Technology based economic development or industry; or

   5. (E) Undergraduate research or science education.

      At least two of the members appointed by the Governor shall be representatives of business or industry.