Origins of NRF
The UF Office of Research launched the NIMET initiative in early 2004, and the NRF became a reality when the University of Florida received approval for $35 million from the State of Florida's Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) fund in the 2004-2005 legislative session to begin design and construction of the new NRF building. The University of Florida Facilities Planning and Construction (FP&C) organization appointed a Senior Project Manager to oversee project management.
In November, 2004 a Director for NIMET was hired who had experience in research management as well as planning and design of major research facilities like NRF to work with the NIMET Committee to translated the scientific needs into construction specifications.
The Architecture/Engineering team was selected in January 2005, the Commissioning Agent in May 2005, and the Construction Management firm in July 2005, to complete the design/ construction team. Construction began June 2006 and was completed January 2008.