AURP Launches New, Dynamic Member Portal! | | |
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🚀 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
The NEW AURP Network has LAUNCHED!
Your all-new command center is here! With seamless connectivity, bold design, and smarter navigation, the AURP universe just got bigger, bolder, and badder.
What's Waiting for You:
🔹 Personalized individual & organization profiles
🔹 Enhanced event registration
🔹 View your committees and engage on discussion boards
Whether you're a seasoned member or just setting coordinates, this next era is built for YOU.
Dive in now!
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SUBSCRIBE TO AURP DISCUSSION BOARD: LISTSERV
Current post: Keisha Demps Centennial Campus @NCSU, asks about accelerators on university campuses.
| | | "One Text With . . . " Pegasus Park's David Snow! | | |
For this week’s “One Text With . . .” we’re very happy to feature David Snow, PhD, CLP, Patent Agent, Executive Director of Pegasus Park (Dallas, TX). | | |
Vickie: "Hi David - Congratulations on landing at Pegasus Park! What's been your current initiatives or projects since you've arrived?"
David: "Hey Vickie! With all the de-extinction and relocation news it’s easy to forget that there are 6 universities doing amazing things here. UT Arlington’s IMPRINT and Texas A&M’s Engineering Experiment Station have teamed up to launch an improved version of the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing, which we are building now. The Center will offer hands-on training programs and lab space for startups and researchers working on biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other biotech products."
Vickie: "Great to see this cutting-edge health care focus, David - thank you for sharing. I look forward to learning more in the future."
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REGISTER NOW
I2RP at Cummings Research Park in Huntsville
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Join AURP in Huntsville this September for a dynamic, hands-on exploration of Cummings Research Park (CRP) —the nation’s second-largest research park and a cornerstone of the U.S. innovation economy. Over three action-packed days, Insights into Research Parks will immerse attendees in the people, partnerships, and possibilities that make CRP a model for thriving innovation ecosystems.
Why Attend?: This high-impact program brings together thought leaders, economic developers, research park managers, and university and industry partners to witness first-hand the infrastructure, culture, and community that support groundbreaking research and commercialization in Huntsville. Whether you're launching a new park, growing your research assets, or looking for collaborative models to drive regional innovation, this site visit delivers valuable takeaways.
Book your flights and hotel room!). Learn more!
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Sign-Up for the Redstone Arsenal Tour BEFORE AUGUST 22nd!
A federal R&D center of excellence with more than 65 federal tenants across 30,000 acres that advances research, development, testing and engineering that put the US at the forefront of solutions to address national and global challenges and opportunities through its largest tenants the U.S. Army, the FBI and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center among them.
*REQUIRED: Attendees who are U.S. Citizens MUST bring their valid REAL ID/Driver's License and provide their name, DL Number and State that it was issued. Attendees who are Foreign Nationals must provide name as it appears on their passport, passport number and country that it was issued BEFORE AUGUST 22ND.
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Stay in the Loop! Catch up with Past Community Pulse Sessions
AURP Members! Our Community Pulse webinar series is a hit – and the buzz keeps growing!
Missed a session? Or want to rewatch your favorites? No problem.
All past Community Pulse webinars are available on demand. Just log in to the Member Portal on our website and click the "Community Pulse Webinar Recordings" link to catch up anytime!
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Registration is officially OPEN for the AURP 2025 International Conference and spots will go fast!
Hosted by University of Nevada–Las Vegas (UNLV) and the Harry Reid Research & Technology Park, this year’s theme is: "DRIVING RESEARCH & INNOVATION ACROSS SECTORS."
From game-changing breakthroughs to cross-industry collaborations, UNLV will showcase how a world-class research institution fuels innovation, inspires global progress, and turns big ideas into real-world impact.
As a Carnegie R1 institution, UNLV stands among the top tier of U.S. universities, signaling its distinction as a premier research powerhouse.
With a 31% increase in research funding over the past year, the university is fueling groundbreaking projects that contribute directly to Nevada’s economic development. Central to these efforts is the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, a cornerstone for advancing research, business development and the future of Southern Nevada’s innovation economy.
💥 Early bird rates end August 29th — just 3 weeks to lock in your savings before prices rise! Don’t be the one hearing about it after the fact . . . be the one making it happen.
🔗 Register now — secure your spot today!
#AURPinAction: Viva Las Vegas!
| | Resources & Announcements | | |
NSF Commits $32M to Boost AI-Powered Protein Design for Bioeconomy
The NSF has announced a $32 million investment through its Use-Inspired Acceleration of Protein Design (USPRD) initiative, supporting five cross-sector teams to accelerate AI-based protein design technologies.
This strategic funding aims to translate cutting-edge research into practical applications that bolster the U.S. bioeconomy, including biomanufacturing, advanced materials, and sustainable chemical production. The initiative brings together experts from academia and industry to overcome barriers in enzyme design and protein modeling, leveraging AI, machine learning, and high-throughput methods.
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| Awarded projects include efforts to engineer enzymes for cost-effective acrylate production (Arzeda Corp.); optimize cellular transporters for improved bioproduction (Koliber Biosciences); synthesize complex human milk oligosaccharides for infant nutrition (Novozymes); develop bacteria for recyclable plastics (Purdue University); and design enzymes for biomass upcycling into fuels and surfactants (UC Santa Barbara). Read more. | | |
AURP Members: Don't Miss Weekly Updates
Van Scoyoc Associates – Washington
AURP Members: Be sure to check out the Van Scoyoc Associates – Washington Update, a comprehensive digest report of key Washington, DC policy, budget and legislative updates available weekly in the Members’ Only section of the AURP website.
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Podcast Episode with AURP's Brian Darmody: Why Place
Matters in University Innovation
In the latest episode of the Gardner Innovation Search Partners Podcast, host Quentin Thomas sits down with Brian Darmody, Chief Strategy Officer with AURP, to explore how research parks and innovation districts are transforming university research into real-world impact. Brian shares insights on the strategic importance of physical proximity for startup creation and corporate partnerships, the diverse models for building innovation hubs and how policy decisions can make or break these ecosystems. Watch the full episode.
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AURP Co-Sponsors BioHealth Capital Region Forum (September 23–24) in Rockville, MD
AURP is co-sponsoring the BioHealth Capital Region Forum taking place at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, MD (September 23–24). This two-day event brings together leaders from across the biohealth ecosystem, including industry, government, academia and investors, for powerful conversations, keynotes and networking opportunities.
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This year’s theme is “Where Human and Artificial Intelligence Converge in the BioHealth Industry. Amy Adams, AURP Board member and Executive Director, Institute for Biohealth Innovation at George Mason University, and AURP's Brian Darmody, are both on the organizing committee for this year's event.
The Forum also hosts the annual Crab Trap Competition (September 24). This live pitch event features five early-stage biohealth companies competing for $10,000 in cash, $25,000 in IT services and $10,000 in CRO services provided by Noble Life Sciences, Accelevir Diagnostics and InfoPathways. Registration is free. Learn more.
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Master Planning RFP at Innovation Saskatchewan
Innovation Saskatchewan has issued a RFP to develop 25-year Master Plans for its Research and Technology (R+T) Parks in Regina and Saskatoon. The initiative aims to expand innovation capacity, modernize infrastructure, and strengthen collaboration among tech companies, researchers, and academic institutions. Each park will receive a tailored plan aligned with strategic sectors such as agriculture, life sciences, energy, and ICT. With over 150 tenant companies and 3,700 employees across 26 buildings, the R+T Parks are positioned to evolve into globally competitive hubs for research and commercialization. Proposal submissions are due by August 19, 2025. Learn more.
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OSU-Cascades Seeks Developer for New Innovation District
Oregon State University–Cascades has launched a nationwide search for a lead developer to build the first phase of its future 24-acre Innovation District in Bend, OR. Designed to foster research, commercial innovation and student experiential learning, the district will feature labs, classrooms, retail, housing and outdoor gathering spaces. The selected partner will lease land from OSU and oversee the design, construction and management of up to five buildings, with the first two slated to begin construction in 2028. The district will target industries like outdoor products, energy systems, and biotech, aligning with regional economic priorities and OSU’s academic strengths. Read more.
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| #AURP Member & Industry News | | Northern Virginia has unveiled its first Innovation District in Manassas, backed by a $2.6 million grant from GO Virginia and $1.3 million in local contributions. Spearheaded by George Mason University, the district aims to transform the region into a national hub for high-tech industries like life sciences, aerospace, defense, and semiconductors. The initiative will support workforce development, startup growth, and research commercialization, while offering residents access to high-quality careers and educational opportunities. Anchored by Innovation Park and key partners including Prince William County and the City of Manassas, the district builds on existing infrastructure and regional momentum to strengthen Virginia’s economy. Read more. | | | |
UC Berkeley has approved the construction of a new seven-story building in its Innovation Zone to house the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) and Bakar Labs, creating the largest university-based biotech incubator in the U.S. The facility will support cutting-edge CRISPR research and provide scalable lab space for startups, fostering collaboration between scientists and entrepreneurs. Spearheaded by Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna, IGI has already spawned 26 companies, and the new building is expected to accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture and climate adaptation. Read more. | | | West Virginia Regional Technology Park (WVRTP) late last month hosted West Virginia University's newest president, Mike Benson, as part of his "Take Me Home Tour." Members of the business community, community leaders, WVRTP tenants, public officials and economic development stakeholders gathered at the on the Tech Park Campus to hear from President Benson as he shared his vision for WVU’s future and emphasized the importance of strong regional partnerships, educational access and economic development. During the event, WVRTP CEO Matt Ballard discussed collaboration between the Park and WVU: "We have shared values with West Virginia University; research, education and economic development. We look forward to working together in these areas to serve the people of our State." Read more. | |
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Voyager Technologies has announced plans to build the first-ever space science park in the U.S. at The Ohio State University, marking a major milestone for aerospace innovation in central Ohio. Partnering with local developer Elford Construction, the VISTA Aerospace Research Park will serve as a hub for advanced research, technology commercialization, and public-private collaboration. The facility will include leasable offices, labs and meeting spaces to attract space companies and bolster the region’s economy. This initiative complements Ohio’s growing space enterprise, joining Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and NASA’s Glenn Research Center to form a powerful trifecta of aerospace development. Read more. | |
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Did you know? The Innovators Podcast, hosted by Iowa State University Research Park staff, celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and groundbreaking ideas emerging from Ames, ISU and the surrounding community. Since its launch in 2020, the podcast has featured a diverse lineup of founders, researchers, and student innovators — from biotech startups to creative ventures — offering listeners an inside look at the people driving change in Iowa’s innovation ecosystem. Learn more. | | | |
Dr. Costas Spirou, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University, has been appointed Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurial Strategies Officer for the University System of Georgia, according to the Union-Recorder. Reporting directly to Chancellor Sonny Perdue, Spirou will lead efforts to expand innovation and entrepreneurship across the system’s 26 institutions, drawing inspiration from Georgia Tech’s successful Technology Square model. He will also hold a tenured professorship at Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Spirou’s 12-year tenure at GCSU has been marked by academic growth, national recognition and leadership through the pandemic. Read more. | | | The Austin–San Antonio, TX corridor is rapidly transforming into one of the most dynamic megaregions in the U.S., driven by strategic collaboration, innovation and inclusive growth, according to the Austin Business Journal. With a projected population surge from 5.3 million to 8.3 million by 2050, the region is attracting global investment and accelerating job creation across key sectors like advanced manufacturing, biosciences and cybersecurity. Anchored by top-tier research universities and a coordinated workforce strategy, the corridor offers companies speed, scale and certainty. Regional leaders are tackling infrastructure, housing and mobility challenges head-on, aiming to build a resilient, opportunity-rich model for smart growth and economic leadership. Read more. | |
| 2025 – Connect & Achieve with AURP | | | | |
AURP’s 2025 calendar is brimming with insightful content and exciting opportunities to connect with your innovation community!
Get ready for a year of growth, collaboration and groundbreaking achievements.
Mark your calendar and prepare to unlock new potential, elevate your impact and drive success like never before!
Learn more.
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AURP MEMBER MAP
Land your pin on our community of innovation heat map!
Check out the AURP interactive map to connect with institutional members throughout the globe. AURP members are the foundation of our association and represent a range of innovation districts, parks, and research organizations!
Learn more.
#buildingtheAURPnetwork
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Economic Impact Reports | |
Research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs are strong economic, job-creating engines and contribute to economic development in local communities, regions, states and nations.
Our AURP website features current impact studies that illustrate the dynamic impact of university research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs.
Check out The Economic Value of Lehigh University (June 2025).
Share your impact report on our website! Learn more.
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AURP CAREER CENTER
Check out the AURP Career Center to discover your
next career opportunity, including:
- Associate Vice President, Real Estate Services – The University of Pennsylvania
- Director of the Physical Science Laboratory – New Mexico State University
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SUBMIT YOUR STORY FOR A FUTURE PARK POST!
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Would you like to showcase your Community of Innovation, tenant or university activities (including newly released Impact Reports) in an upcoming AURP Park Post? We want to hear your stories and news to share with our greater AURP community. Email us today!
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