A Birmingham university is calling for Britain to remain a member of the European Union as the long-awaited in/out referendum draws near.
Aston University, which receives grant funding from Europe, hosted the West Midlands launch of the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign.
Three West Midlands MPs, Jess Phillips (Lab Yardley), Caroline Spelman (Con Meriden) and Emma Reynolds (Lab Wolverhampton NE) also gave their full backing to the campaign.
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The referendum is widely expected to be held later this year although, with Prime Minister David Cameron still negotiating a new deal for Britainn with EU leaders, the date has not been set.
And Britain Stronger in Europe is one of several groups set up to campaign on the referendum.
Others include the Vote Leave and Leave.eu campaigns to get Britain out but they have yet to hold major West Midlands launches.
Prof Simon Green, director of the Aston Centre for Europe, said: "For Aston University, and for the West Midlands as a whole, a vote to stay in Europe is a vote for prosperity, strength and collaboration.
"The funding we get from Europe, which supports our European Bioenergy Research Institute among many others, keeps us at the cutting-edge of world research, creating the jobs and technologies of the future.
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"And being in the EU allows our students the freedom to broaden their horizons by going to study at universities across the continent.
"Those who want us to leave the EU cannot say how these advantages could be retained if we left the EU. I have no doubt that our continuing members of the EU has a great many benefits."
Campaign deputy director Lucy Thomas said universities in the region were in line to win £500 million of research funding over the next few years, which would be at risk if the country left the EU.
Ms Spelman added: "Being in Europe now brings substantial benefits to the West Midlands.
"From the jobs that depend on our exports to Europe, such as those in the automotive and manufacturing industries, to the security we gain from the European Arrest Warrant, and the £66 million a day invested here by EU countries, Solihull and the West Midlands is stronger in Europe."