COLUMBIA -- State Attorney General Henry McMaster has been asked to advise a state board reviewing research funding proposals just how creative the state's three major universities can be in matching state funds for their requests.

At issue is a requirement by lawmakers that the state's three major schools -- Clemson, the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina -- provide matching funds when requesting money from the state board overseeing grants to help build research facilities.

One question involves a proposal by Clemson University to use its access to a private company's equipment as part of its match for a funding proposal involving its genetics research program.

Benjamin Rook, who chairs the South Carolina Research Centers of Excellence Review Board, said Friday he asked for McMaster's opinion because the law requiring matches is "very vague" and he wants to be sure that what the schools offer is appropriate.

"So we are asking the attorney general if he would be a little more specific or dig in a little more in terms of what the legislative intent was," he said.

But board member Harry Lightsey told other members at a meeting Friday that he doesn't think they need McMaster's opinion.

"I believe it's our duty under the act to determine what qualifies as a match," he said afterward. "If you look at the statute, it's written very broadly. It encompasses a variety of different types of scenarios. I think the universities are obviously going to be creative in terms of how they seek funds."

Chris Prizrembel, vice president of research for Clemson, said the school is awaiting McMaster's opinion on their matching funds proposal on the genetics program before proceeding with the project.

Lightsey said he hasn't made up his mind on that issue but wants to hear the arguments.

"It could be argued either way," he said. "I think ultimately we'll have to make the decision, with or without attorney general guidance."

Rook said he isn't questioning the validity of any of the school's matches proposed thus far. He said the schools' presidents have agreed on their own definitions of what constitutes a match "and we just wanted to hear what the attorney general's (opinion) was."

Mark Plowden, a spokesman for McMaster, said the questions asked by Rook are similar to those by the board's chairman in 2003, when he sought advice on what constituted matching funds for the state's endowed chairs program.

Plowden said research is still being done on the questions and an opinion should be issued this year.