(FOA)-Industry-University
Cooperative Research Centers Program (IUCRC); July 7,
2020
Agency
National
Science Foundation
Description
The
IUCRC program catalyzes breakthrough pre-competitive research by enabling close
and sustained engagement between industry innovators, world-class academic
teams, and government agencies. IUCRCs help industry partners and government
agencies connect directly and efficiently with university researchers to
achieve three primary objectives: 1) Conduct high-impact research to meet
shared and critical industrial needs in companies of all sizes; 2) Enhance U.S.
global leadership in driving innovative technology development, and 3)
Identify, mentor and develop a diverse, highly skilled science and engineering
workforce.
The
IUCRC program provides a structure for academic researchers to conduct
fundamental, pre-competitive research of shared interest to industry and
government organizations. These organizations pay membership fees to a
consortium so that they can collectively envision and fund research, with at
least 90% of Member funds allocated to the direct costs of these shared
research projects.
IUCRCs
are formed around research areas of strategic interest to U.S. industry.
Industry is defined very broadly to include companies (large and small),
startups and non-profit organizations. Principal Investigators form a Center
around emerging research topics of current research interest, in a
pre-competitive space but with clear pathways to applied research and commercial
development. Industry partners join at inception, as an existing Center grows or
they inspire the creation of a new Center by recruiting university partners to
leverage NSF support. Government agencies participate in IUCRCs as Members or
by partnering directly with NSF at the strategic level.
Universities,
academic researchers, and students benefit from IUCRC participation through the
research funding, the establishment and growth of industry partnerships, and
educational and career placement opportunities for students. Industry Members
benefit by accessing knowledge, facilities, equipment, and intellectual
property in a highly cost-efficient model; leveraging Center research outcomes
in their future proprietary projects; interacting in an informal, collaborative
way with other private sector and government entities with shared interests; and
identifying and recruiting talent. NSF provides funding to support Center
administrative costs and a governance framework to manage membership,
operations, and evaluation.
Successful
IUCRCs require:
A
capable research/management team with an entrepreneurial
mindset;
Universities,
faculty, and students interested in engaging in research of interest to
industry;
A
community of industry partners seeking pre-competitive, use-inspired research
projects.
Each
IUCRC is expected to grow and become independently sustainable by the end of
the NSF support.
Announcement
Number:
NSF
20-570
Closing
Dates:
July
07, 2020
September
16, 2020
March
10, 2021 - Second Wednesday in March, Annually Thereafter
September
08, 2021 - Second Wednesday in September, Annually
Thereafter
Link
to Full Announcement
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20570/nsf20570.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click
Contact
Information
Prakash
G. Balan
(703)
292-5341