Welcome to our New AURP Member! | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined AURP in Tempe, Arizona for our 2026 Spring Training. It was wonderful to bring together such an engaged group of research park and innovation district leaders for meaningful connection, candid conversation and shared learning.
Our interactive, workshop-style sessions created space to explore real-world challenges, exchange practical insights and discuss strategies for strengthening innovation ecosystems. The openness and peer dialogue throughout the program made the experience especially valuable.
We’re grateful for the thoughtful participation and collaboration that define the AURP community and look forward to continuing to work together to advance research parks and the innovation ecosystems they support. Learn more.
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Join AURP for our next event in Manassas, VA on April 22-23 for a dynamic, hands-on exploration of George Mason University.
AURP's INSIGHT INTO RESEARCH PARKS (I2RP) offers a high-impact program convening 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 Manassas. 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.
| | One Text With...Christina Morris | | |
Vickie: "What new development is helping shape NeoCity’s future?"
Christina: “NeoCity’s new multi-use lab, developed in partnership with the State of Florida, expands our capabilities and unlocks new opportunities, including a recent MOU with South Korea-based ELSPES to establish an advanced manufacturing facility. As the region’s semiconductor hub, NeoCity continues to foster collaboration and drive innovation."
Vickie: "This is great, thank you for sharing!"
| | Resources & Announcements | | |
Reminder: Before budget season, complete AURP's 2026 Compensation Survey to engage competitive compensation arrangements for your leadership team. The Survey should take 3-5 minutes to complete. Your input is confidential and invaluable to ALL AURP members.
Please participate in this year's Salary Survey by Friday, April 24th. Take the Survey.
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The Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) model is a proposal from major U.S. higher-education and research organizations to modernize how the federal government reimburses universities for Facilities & Administrative (F&A) or indirect costs associated with federally funded research. The FAIR approach would replace the current negotiated F&A rate system with a more transparent structure that separates research funding into three categories—project-specific research costs, essential research support tied to a project, and general research operations—making it clearer to policymakers and taxpayers how research funds are used while ensuring institutions can recover the true cost of conducting research.
CALL FOR ACTION: Universities, research organizations, and innovation partners should proactively engage their state congressional delegations to raise awareness of the FAIR model explaining how F&A funding supports the research infrastructure sustaining the research infrastructure that powers discovery, fuels economic growth, and strengthens U.S. global competitiveness. Your voice is critical—help ensure policymakers understand that strong, reliable research infrastructure funding is vital to maintaining America’s leadership in innovation.
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InBIA has partnered with TIME on the magazine’s inaugural ranking of America’s Top Incubators & Accelerators, recognizing programs making a strong impact for early-stage founders. Entrepreneur support organizations, founders, mentors, and ecosystem leaders are invited to complete a free survey open through May 1, 2026, with final rankings to be published in TIME in August 2026.
AURP Chief Strategy Officer Brian Darmody will also speak at InBIA’s 40th International Conference on Business Innovation (ICBI40).
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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 | | AURP Members Showcase Maryland’s Aerospace Growth | In February, the AURP Air and Space Caucus and aerospace tenants from AURP member parks were represented at the Maryland Aerospace Alliance Meeting. Lee Greely (St. Mary’s County Aero Park & Innovation District) sponsored a booth, while tenants from UMD Discovery District and UMB Bio Park shared updates on Maryland’s growing aerospace sector. Lt. Governor Miller highlighted new state initiatives to further expand Maryland’s aerospace and space industries. | |  | |
At AURP's Spring Training, J. Michael “Mike” Bowman, AURP Past President; and President/CEO of Delaware Technology Park was honored with the 2026 Vision Award for his leadership in advancing research parks and innovation ecosystems.
Mike has played a key role in fostering university-industry partnerships, strengthening the Delaware innovation economy through the growth of the Delaware Technology Park, and co-authored AURP's Power of Place whitepaper. Learn more.
| | | NC State University and M.C. Dean have launched a new Engineering Hub designed to strengthen collaboration in advanced infrastructure, energy systems, and emerging technologies while expanding hands-on workforce development opportunities for students. The partnership underscores the power of industry–university collaboration in accelerating innovation and preparing the next generation of engineers. Read more | | Connect Labs by Wexford has announced several new tenants and expanded programming at Aggie Square, the UC Davis–anchored innovation district in Sacramento. The additions highlight growing momentum for the hub, which has hosted 400+ events and welcomed more than 13,500 visitors since opening in 2025, bringing together startups, researchers, investors, and community organizations to accelerate innovation and regional economic growth. Read more | | China’s rapid expansion of higher education has had significant ripple effects on U.S. universities and local economies, according to a Stanford analysis. Since China dramatically increased college enrollment beginning in 1999—from about 1 million students annually to 9.6 million by 2020—more Chinese graduates have pursued advanced degrees abroad, particularly in STEM fields at U.S. research universities. The influx helped expand graduate programs, attract additional American and international students, and even support job creation in college towns. Read more | | Sandia National Laboratories has opened the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation (CAMINO), a new facility designed to accelerate design, prototyping, and production of critical components for national security missions. Located in the Sandia Science & Technology Park, the hub brings together advanced manufacturing tools, digital engineering, and AI-enabled workflows while strengthening collaboration with industry and university partners. Read more | | 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! | | | | |
