Welcome to our New AURP Member! | | |
Knock it out of the park at AURP's 2026 Spring Training (March 9-12)! Let the networking and knowledge-sharing begin for your Community of Innovation! This is a sell-out event to be sure to register ASAP!
Themed Building Resilient and Innovation Ecosystems: Partnership, People, and Purpose, seize the opportunity to join fellow innovators and thought leaders in exploring the power of storytelling to shape the future of research and innovation!
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It's Membership Renewal Season!
The AURP network continues to support its members to grow your unique communities of innovation. Recognize the immense significance of partnering with and learning from AURP peers and professionals.
If you were an AURP member in 2025 and haven't renewed yet, your membership is now expired. For renewal help, contact Shelby Martin
| | | One Text With...Kimberly Gramm! | | For this week's "One Text With . . . ", Vickie Palmer, AURP CEO, reconnects with Kimberly Gramm, Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer of the Innovation Institute at Tulane University. | | |
Vickie: "How is Tulane leveraging innovation district (Biodistrict) and translational infrastructure to accelerate university spinouts and regional innovation?"
Kimberly: “Tulane is scaling a research-to-market engine anchored in the “major” 1M sq. ft. Charity Hospital redevelopment, combining our Schools of Medicine and Public Health with translational labs, startup space, industry partnerships, and a university-backed seed fund, Tulane Ventures. This integrated model accelerates spinouts, corporate pilots, and place-based innovation across the Gulf South.”
Vickie: "This is great, thank you Kimberly!"
| | | Resources & Announcements | | The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking input on advancing AI for science and engineering through a new Request for Information supporting the Genesis Mission, a major effort to accelerate scientific discovery and workforce development. The initiative aims to mobilize national labs, universities, industry, and philanthropy while training a future workforce skilled in both AI and scientific disciplines. Learn more and submit input by March 4, 2026 | | Business Facilities is now accepting submissions for its 2026 Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO) Awards due February 25, 2026. These awards recognize excellence in site selection, incentive strategy, workforce development, innovation ecosystems, and public-private partnerships that drive regional growth. This program highlights standout projects and initiatives that demonstrate measurable economic impact and strategic leadership in economic development. Learn more | | |
Van Scoyoc Associates – Washington Updates
📌AURP Members: As a reminder, these weekly Van Scoyoc Associates Updates, provide a comprehensive digest report of key Washington, DC policy, budget and legislative updates available weekly in the AURP Member Portal. GAIN ACCESS HERE.
| | AURP Member & Industry News | | The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has unveiled plans for the largest campus expansion in its more than 230-year history. This is a new 230-acre development at Carolina North that will support academic space, research facilities, housing, and more as part of a long-term vision for growth. The project builds on the university’s strengths in STEM capacity and innovation partnerships while addressing regional needs for housing and infrastructure | |  | A new report from Midwest Band of States for Advanced Research & Technology (MBDART) outlines a national strategy for advanced air mobility (AAM) and urges region-level action to build the infrastructure, workforce, and innovation ecosystems needed to support the sector’s growth. The strategy emphasizes coordinated investment, regional partnerships, and research-to-market pathways that can help communities lead in next-generation aerospace technologies. | | | The City of Charlotte and Advocate Health have launched gBETA Charlotte Health at The Pearl, a new free pre-accelerator program supporting early-stage health and digital health startups in a vibrant innovation district. Hosted at The Pearl, Charlotte’s emerging medical and life sciences hub anchored by Wake Forest University School of Medicine and IRCAD, the seven-week program offers coaching, mentorship, and access to labs and industry connections to help founders scale their ventures. Learn more | | Wexford Science & Technology continues to play a leading role in shaping innovation districts by partnering with universities and research institutions to develop thriving mixed-use communities that anchor research, lab space, and talent-driven growth. Wexford leaders note that innovation districts remain attractive destinations for companies and innovators because proximity to universities and robust ecosystems helps sustain demand even through market uncertainty. Their work in places like Philadelphia underscores how thoughtful innovation-oriented development can support both economic growth and community vitality. Learn more | | LabConnect, a contract research organization with more than 700 employees, has relocated its headquarters from eastern Tennessee to a multi-tenant office building near Research Triangle Park, citing proximity to biotech, pharmaceutical customers, and leading universities. The move underscores the Triangle’s continued strength as a hub for CROs and life sciences growth, with LabConnect planning to add jobs in the region in the coming years. Learn more | | Scientists whose research was supported by U.S. Department of Defense–linked funding have won Nobel Prizes, highlighting how federal investment in basic and applied research contributes to breakthrough discoveries with global impact. These awards underscore the importance of sustained support for defense-relevant science and the value of partnerships across government, academia, and innovation ecosystems. Learn more | | South Dakota Bioscience Market Study highlights how bioscience and life science companies can extend operational runway in South Dakota versus high-cost hubs like Boston and California. It notes the sector’s continued resilience, and a projected $6B in pharmaceutical imports to South Dakota by 2050 and underscores the USD Discovery District’s role as the state’s purpose-built life science research park, with ~25,000 SF of available core and shell space for custom lab and office buildouts. Learn more | | A new analysis highlights how science parks can help Australian universities evolve into true innovation hubs by strengthening links between research, industry, and commercialization pathways. The piece explores global best practices and offers insights into strategies that maximize economic impact, talent attraction, and regional competitiveness. Learn more | | Congratulations to Tishman Speyer on securing a major new lease at Harvard Enterprise Campus in Allston, where Genentech has tripled its footprint to expand research and life sciences operations. This significant commitment highlights the strength of university-anchored innovation districts in attracting leading biotech companies and supporting long-term growth. Learn more | | A new national initiative, Project Switzerland 2.0, has selected 20 top entrepreneurs to help scale the next generation of U.S. technology leaders. The program brings together experienced founders and operators to mentor and support high-growth companies, strengthening the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Learn more | | |
Check out the AURP Career Center to discover your next career opportunity, including:
- Director of Industry Engagement – University of California, Davis
- Program Manager, Health Venture Studio and Investment Programs – University of California, Davis
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VP, Facilities Services & Campus Planning – University of Delaware
| | 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! | | | | |
