#BuildingtheAURPNetwork

Welcome to Our New AURP Members!

Broad Hollow Bioscience Park, Inc.

AURP: Upcoming Events

2025 I2RP PROGRAMS


Iowa State University

Research Park

April 28-29


Cummings Research Park Huntsville, AL

Sept 22-24

Meet-up at these distinctive parks to learn their unique stories of ongoing development and programs plus challenges and opportunities.

COMMUNITY PULSE


University Research Park @ UW-Madison

May 8, 2:30 pm ET


Community Pulse sessions are a HIT!


May's member-sharing discussion features Aaron Olver, Executive Director of University Research Park at University of Wisconsin-Madison - 1996 Outstanding Research Park Award Recipient.

BIO HEALTH CAUCUS


June 15-16, 2025

Boston, MA


AURP's 2025 BIO Health Caucus returns with the State Bio Association Roundtable, plus discussion on legal issues for bio startups, the role of the bio press, federal bio funding updates, and more.


AURP's BIO Health Caucus is held in conjunction with the BIO International Convention 2025, June 16-19.

Register Now! 2025 BIO Health Caucus, June 15-16, in Boston

The AURP 2025 BIO Health Caucus (June 15-16 in Boston) will be held just prior to BIO's International Convention on June 16!


Agenda highlights and speakers, include:


✅ "Bio Hubs Across the Country: What's Hot and What's Not?" with Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor, GEN News


✅ "Life Science Labs of the Future" with Kurt Fullbeck, Director of IU LAB Initiatives and Partnerships, Indiana University


✅ "Bio Manufacturing in Space: The Future of New Drugs and Devices" with representatives invited from Tech Connect, MassChallenge and CASIS International Space Station National Lab


Be a part of AURP's 2025 BIO Health Caucus

Register Today

AURP ALERT

Updates: AURP NIH F&A Alert


Visit AURP's special Resource Guide on NIH Facilities & Administrative Costs of Research – "What It Means For Bio Communities of Innovation and How to Get Involved."


AURP is actively collaborating with industry partners, the research community, academia, and others to address the federal government’s investment in critical technologies for national competitiveness.


Return often for regular updates including for recent NSF Implementation of Executive Orders (updated 04.25.2025).

How Much Does Each State Stand to Lose? (interactive map) Credit: Jeff Murphy

AURP Sponsor Spotlight!

Fraunhofer USA, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of applied research. Fraunhofer USA was founded in 1994 to conduct applied R&D for customers from industry and state governments and the federal government in the U.S. Working closely with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe’s largest application-oriented research and development organization and its sole corporate member, Fraunhofer USA can offer both domestic and international resources to enhance its portfolio of R&D services. Fraunhofer USA develops and validates scientific applications and technologies for industrial innovation in the USA. Learn more.

Resources & Announcements

Mike Bowman Honored with 2025 Milestone Award for Pioneering Delaware’s Innovation Economy


AURP Past President (2007-08), Mike Bowman, President and CEO of Delaware Technology Park (co-host of AURP's 2023 International Conference), has been honored with the 2025 Milestone Award by the Delaware Business Times. Recognized for his pivotal role in fostering Delaware's innovation economy, Mike has led the launch of over 150 companies and the creation of 16,000 jobs since joining the park in 2000. His leadership extends to serving as associate director of the University of Delaware’s Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships and as state director of the Delaware Small Business Development Center. In 2024, Bowman was appointed to President Biden’s White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, where he has advocated for strengthening domestic life sciences supply chains. Read more.


Our congratulations, Mike!

Ken Marcus Retires After 26 Years of Leadership

at Tech Parks Arizona


Ken Marcus has announced his retirement from Tech Parks Arizona following 26 remarkable years of service as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Ken has been instrumental in the development and success of these parks—guiding strategic planning, overseeing operations and finances, and helping build a thriving innovation ecosystem.

Ken is a highly engaged community leader, actively serving on both local and national boards including two terms on the AURP Board of Directors (2011-2017 / 2018-2021) and many years specifically as AURP Treasurer, plus as an active committee member and speaker.


We are sincerely grateful for Ken’s leadership and dedication to AURP and our global community of innovation. We wish Ken well in retirement and know we can always find him active at the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo


Our congratulations, Ken!

Dr. Karrie Dixon Installed as NCCU Chancellor


Karrie Dixon, Ed.D., has been installed as the 13th chancellor of North Carolina Central University. Dr. Dixon has spearheaded the creation of an AI Research Institute at NCCU in partnership with Google, the first of its kind at an HBCU. Dr. Dixon is the first woman to serve as a permanent chancellor for two UNC System schools. Read more.


Our congratulations, Chancellor Dixon!

For AURP's Air and Space Caucus members: Innovators from across the space tech sector are invited to present groundbreaking solutions to a panel of experts representing industry, government and investment sectors as part of the Space Innovation Challenge. The Challenge, with a $100,000 prize pool, highlights cutting-edge tech with applications spanning communications, national security, climate monitoring, logistics and healthcare. Organizers are interested in civilian, military and dual-use innovations, making this challenge a unique opportunity for participants to influence the future of space exploration and its far-reaching effects on life on Earth. Deadline: May 2, 2025. Read more.

AURP Members: Don't Miss Weekly Updates

Van Scoyoc Associates – Washington


AURP Members: With the new administration in place, 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.

Why Creating a Healthy Space at Home and

Work Really Matters


Struggling to stay healthy while working from home?


Discover practical tips to create a workspace that supports your body and boosts productivity in Movement Rx's latest blog post by Dr. Theresa Larson (AURP Member).


Learn how small adjustments to your home setup can reduce pain, improve focus and keep you energized throughout the day.


Don’t let your desk hold you back – create a space that works for you! Read more.

#AURP Member & Industry News

The University of South Dakota Discovery District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month for its inaugural 50,000-square-foot facility, marking a significant milestone in its mission to become a hub for biotech and life sciences innovation, according to the Argus Leader. The building currently houses tenants such as OmegaQuant Analytics, the Small Business Development Center and the Prairie Family Business Association. Looking ahead, the District plans to develop the remaining 80 acres with 26 additional buildings over the next 30 years, including a mixed-use facility featuring housing, commercial space, and a fire station. CEO Ryan Oines reports nearly 100 prospective tenants, with the aim of fostering a collaborative environment that leverages the proximity to USD-Sioux Falls to provide a skilled workforce for emerging industries. Read more.​

Applied Pavement Technology, Inc. (APTech) this week celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters at the University of Illinois Research Park. APTech is a leading consultancy firm specializing in pavement engineering and management solutions, collaborating with clients to support data-driven and performance-based decision-making that improves transportation infrastructure. After several years of company growth, APTech's home base relocated from downtown Urbana to its Research Park business center in September 2024. This homegrown female-founded pavement engineering firm now has more than 60 full-time employees. (Photo: APTech's Monty Hall and Research Park's Laura Appenzeller.) Read more.​

​Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky (home of the Coldstream Research Campus) have announced a strategic alliance aimed at advancing the health, education and economy of Kentucky through the newly formed Advancing Kentucky Together Network. As the network’s inaugural academic partner, Transylvania will collaborate with UK on initiatives including streamlined pathways for students into UK’s graduate programs, joint outreach in Fayette County Public Schools, shared internship and study abroad opportunities, plus coordinated workforce development efforts. This partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between the two institutions and seeks to address critical workforce shortages while strengthening Lexington’s role as a center for innovation and opportunity. Read more.

​The University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State has awarded a $12.75 million grant to support the development of the Edward & Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine (CTEM) within the 4MLK building at the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore. This initiative fosters collaboration between the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, bringing together engineers and clinicians to address critical health challenges such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. The funding will facilitate the construction of state-of-the-art shared research spaces, the recruitment of faculty, and the launch of an eight-year B.S.-to-M.D. program. Read more.

Nigel Reuel has been named professor in charge of deep technology venture creation for the Iowa State University College of Engineering with a focus on entrepreneurial development for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty. Reuel’s Iowa State research has led to numerous technology disclosures to ISU Research Foundation, multiple patents and three deep tech ventures (Skroot Laboratory Inc., Zymosense Inc., and Frugi Biotechnology Inc.) The first two are still actively scaling in ISU Research Park, and the third was acquired by BigHat Biosciences Inc. in 2022. All ventures have been co-founded, led, and staffed with Iowa State alumni. Read more.

Wexford Science & Technology, an AURP Platinum Sponsor, has announced a strategic capital partnership with Nuveen Real Estate, a global real estate investment manager. This collaboration involves Nuveen investing in 2.4 million square feet of Wexford's existing properties across six high-growth U.S. markets through its U.S. Cities Workplace fund, laying the groundwork for future joint ventures. The partnership aligns with Wexford's mission to develop innovation-centric Knowledge Communities in collaboration with leading universities and research institutions, and with Nuveen's focus on long-term, purpose-driven investments in resilient, healthcare and innovation-supported assets. Read more.

Moffitt Cancer Center has appointed Dr. Josh Carpenter as president of Speros FL, its 775-acre global innovation campus in Pasco County, FL. Carpenter, a Rhodes Scholar with a doctorate in political economy from the University of Oxford, brings a strong background in economic development and research commercialization. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Southern Research, where he secured over $100 million in capital to modernize lab space and advance biotech initiatives, including expanding clinical trial access for underserved communities. In his new role, Carpenter will also serve as Moffitt’s chief integration officer, overseeing strategic alignment between the cancer center and Speros. Read more.

Toby Teeter, Director of The Collaborative at the University of Arkansas (host of AURP's 2024 International Conference), writes a LinkedIn column about the pivotal role of R1 research universities and diversity in driving U.S. innovation and economic prosperity. Drawing from his experiences in Missouri and Kansas City, Teeter illustrates how strategic investments in research institutions can transform regional economies. He advocates for Northwest Arkansas to harness its assets – including the University of Arkansas, a burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem and a diverse talent pool – to evolve into a leading innovation corridor akin to Silicon Valley or North Carolina's Research Triangle. Read more.

In their recent opinion column for The Hill, MIT's Gene Keselman and Dame Fiona Murray argue that American research universities must evolve into active launchpads for innovation to address national challenges and bolster economic growth. They contend that universities should integrate entrepreneurship and innovation into their core missions, moving beyond traditional academic roles. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting startup ventures, and engaging with industry partners, universities can transform research into real-world solutions. Thorp and Goldstein emphasize that such a shift is essential for universities to remain relevant and to contribute meaningfully to society's pressing needs. Read more.

​Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has announced its acquisition of Page (AURP Silver Sponsor), a 1,400-person architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. This strategic move positions Stantec as the second-largest architecture firm in the U.S. and significantly enhances its capabilities in key growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, data centers and healthcare. Page's extensive portfolio, which includes university-focused projects, complements Stantec's existing expertise. Read more.

Building AURP Partnerships

AURP proudly sponsored and participated in UIDP’s HBCU Engage 2025, held last month in Charleston, supporting efforts to foster partnerships between HBCUs and key innovation stakeholders – an extension of AURP’s ongoing commitment through its Regional Partnership Development Program. (Photo: MCB Science & Health's Will Germain and Brian Darmody.)

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.

THE AURP EDGE

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

#AURPinAction

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 University City Science Center's 2024 Impact Report!


Share your impact report on our website! Learn more.

AURP CAREER CENTER


Check out the AURP Career Center to discover your

next career opportunity, including:



  • Vice-President, Research and Innovation – The University of Ottawa
  • Curtis Prime Endowed Professor of Quantum Computing – Rensselaer Polytechnic University
  • President – University of Louisiana Monroe
  • Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs – University of Toledo
  • Wadhwani Endowed Chair in Clinical and Translational Research – The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Sanford Health-Fargo
  • Chief Executive Officer – McMaster Innovation Park (Hamilton, ON)
  • Dean, School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences – University of California San Diego
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!

AURP | www.aurp.net
Twitter  Linkedin  Facebook  Youtube