The Michigan State University Board of Trustees has given its approval to the next step in the development of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, a world-class nuclear research facility that will attract scientists from all over the world to East Lansing.

In approving the administration’s request to proceed with the next phase of the project, the board established a budget of $55 million, which will be used for building the exterior structures of the target high bay, linear accelerator support building, cryoplant building and the electron cyclotron resonance area. Approval was given during Friday’s meeting of the MSU Board of Trustees.

This proactive board action positions the university to expend federal funds once they become available through a federally approved budget or continuing resolution and final DOE approval.

FRIB was successfully reviewed by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science in April, confirming the project’s readiness to establish a baseline for cost, scope, schedule and readiness to begin construction of conventional facilities pending approval from DOE-SC.

Currently, the placement of pilings for the earth-retention system is ongoing at the site, and final design of technical systems is underway.