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#AURP Upcoming Events
AURP 2023 AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Let's Celebrate the Winners!
Submit your nominations for the research parks, companies and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in innovation!
Let the celebration begin as we honor and toast our recipients of the
AURP 2023 Awards of Excellence in Innovation!
We'll gather at AURP's 2023 International Conference, hosted by the the University of Delaware STAR Campus, and raise our glasses and toast this year's honorees in these categories:
Outstanding Research Park or Innovation District
Emerging Research Park or Innovation District
Innovation Award
Career Achievement Award
Leadership Award
Rising Star: A New Generation of Innovation Leadership

Add your name to our list of esteemed recipients: check out past awardees or revisit a few past award recognition videos.
2021 Outstanding Innovation District
Oklahoma City Innovation District
2020 Innovation Award
EarthSense
University of Illinois Research Park
2017 Leadership Award
The Right Honorable David Johnston
Canada's 28th Governor General
AURP 2023 BIO HEALTH CAUCUS, JUNE 4-5, BOSTON
Join us for this session at the AURP BIO Health Caucus (June 4-5) in Boston on "Industry-led Quantum Innovation Hubs: Life Sciences Perspective" (Mon., June 5, 8:35am ET) and learn how quantum technologies - from quantum computing applications in areas such as drug discovery to new quantum sensing and measurement capabilities - will drive significant new opportunities and what hubs mean for international cooperation and partnerships:

Resources & Announcements
The U.S. Small Business Administration this week is hosting America’s Seed Fund Week (May 15-18) to help entrepreneurs become more aware of Small Business Innovation Research & Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) opportunities and the awards process. The week includes a virtual Startup Expo on May 15 featuring up-and-coming SBIR/STTR awardees and open houses on May 17 with the funding agencies. Register here to participate in all of the Week's activities. Learn more.
U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) last week announced its first-ever NSF Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program awards to 44 unique teams spanning universities, nonprofits, businesses and other organizations across the U.S. Each awardee team will receive up to $1 million for two years. The NSF Engines program is anticipated to be transformational for the nation, ensuring the U.S. remains in the vanguard of competitiveness for decades to come. Read more.
Advance Your Learning Curve
Learn from Your Peers with the Communities Of Innovation 101 Video Series
AURP's on-demand “Communities of Innovation 101 Education Series” (COI 101) provides ongoing professional development and education - on your schedule - geared to helping professionals start and grow university-based research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs. COI 101 is designed to support you through onboarding challenges and to get you on your feet to building your own community of innovation. Learn more. (See sample series below.)
#AURP Member & Industry News
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, along with several regional collaborators, has been awarded $1 million from the US National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program. HudsonAlpha and its collaborators are among the more than 40 unique teams to receive one of the first-ever NSF Engines Development Awards, which aim to help partners collaborate and create economic, societal and technological opportunities for their regions. HudsonAlpha's NSF Engines funding will support a project on "Advancing carbon-neutral crop technologies to develop sustainable consumer goods (AL, GA, NC, TN)." Read more.
The Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), in Pittsfield, MA, reports a new MassDevelopment grant will enable Pittsfield and the BIC to work with a consultant to conduct a study and develop a strategy to attract businesses for a proposed innovation district in the city. Pittsfield’s business development manager Michael Coakley cited Pittsfield’s success in bringing in new companies for motivating the launch of the study. Read more.
Steven Taylor, currently Interim Dean of
Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, has been named Auburn's new Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development. As part of Taylor's new role, he will also serve as President of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation and provide leadership to various research and economic development units. Read more.
bwtech@UMBC recently hosted two international companies to test out the U.S. market as part of the Maryland Department of Commerce Global Gateway Soft Landing Program: Dot, a South Korea company, that develops assistive technology for people who are blind and related disabilities, and Atomian, a Spanish company that develops cognitive computing (AI) technology. bwtech@UMBC also attended a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony symbolizing the increased collaboration between UMBC’s academic programs and environmentally focused federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey (whose Office of External Research is located on UMBC's North Campus).
SRI International and Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) announced they are combining operations, bringing together two key Silicon Valley organizations and allowing SRI to further scale its capabilities in a range of technology and scientific areas. As part of this merger, SRI will expand its Bay Area footprint, adding PARC’s Palo Alto site to its existing campuses in nearby Menlo Park, CA plus various locations across the U.S. Read more.
In a new video interview, Aaron Olver, Managing Director with University Research Park at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, talks about new initiatives and projects under development at the park, including a life sciences facility, Element Labs, and new lifestyle amenities to foster a "live-work-play" community. Element Labs, designed by Perkins+Will and being constructed by J.H. Findorff & Sons, will encompass 147,000 square feet of state-of-the art laboratory and office space. Watch the video here.
More than 500 leaders from 60 countries around the globe gathered at the 2023 UIIN Conference in Budapest last week dedicated to university-industry interaction and entrepreneurial hub development. AURP's white paper, The Geography of Technology and Innovation Under the CHIPS + Science Act, was accepted for inclusion in the conference program. Brian Darmody, AURP Chief Strategy Officer, presented the findings on a panel examining government funding for technology clusters. AURP Members and colleagues of AURP attended including Carol Stewart with Tech Parks Arizona; Sandra Ruiz with Florida Atlantic University; Tony Boccanfuso with UIDP; and representatives from Fraunhofer, Rowan University and the University of Wisconsin System.
#AURPinAction

Economic & Social 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.


We're ready to include your impact report on our website! Learn more.

Check out the AURP Career Center to discover your next career opportunity, including:

  • Economic Development Manager – City of Corvallis, Oregon
  • Director of the Data Science Institute – Southern Methodist University
  • Associate Vice President for Research and Faculty Development – North Dakota State University
  • Research Finance Program Director – Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Executive Director Innovation HUB Network (9580) – University of Texas at San Antonio, Economic Development Unit
  • Director of Innovation and Economic Development – North Dakota State University
  • Vice President for Research – Kennesaw State University
  • Director of Entrepreneurship – EnterpriseWorks/UIUC Research Park – University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
AURP 2024-2026 BOARD OF DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

Interested in getting more involved in the leadership of your AURP network? 

Service on the AURP Board of Directors might be a good way to accomplish that. 
 
With the continued expansion of AURP's reach, we are seeking nominations from proven leaders to join us on the AURP Board of Directors to shape the strategic path of our innovation ecosystem.

Our future remains bright as the science and technology sector continues on an amazing upward trajectory and our communities of innovation are key to supporting that growth.

Nominations must be received no later than 5:00pm ET on Friday, June 2nd. 
SUBMIT YOUR STORY FOR A FUTURE PARK POST!

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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