Welcome to our New AURP Members! | | Call for Subject Matter Experts | | AURP is seeking subject matter experts to contribute to its 2026 International Conference (Sept 29–Oct 1, Dallas, TX), hosted by Pegasus Park. Selected participants will help shape global innovation dialogue through executive-level sessions, networking, and curated experiences focused on key areas like innovation ecosystems, capital and policy, high-growth industries, workforce development, and university research impact. This is an opportunity to showcase expertise, influence industry thought leadership, and connect with leaders across sectors through topics ranging from institutional strategy to emerging investment and workforce trends. Deadline for abstracts is May 1st | | | Unlock Innovation in Action at GMU’s New Manassas Innovation District. Join AURP in Manassas, VA on April 22-23 for a dynamic, hands-on exploration of George Mason University | | | Step beyond theory and experience innovation where it’s being built right now. Join AURP’s I2RP in Manassas, VA (April 22–23) for an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at George Mason University’s emerging innovation district and dynamic research network. Engage with leaders in economic development, research parks, and industry as you explore the infrastructure, partnerships, and vision shaping this next-generation hub for commercialization and collaboration. Whether you're launching a new park, expanding your assets, or seeking replicable models for regional growth, this hands-on program delivers actionable insights, fresh inspiration, and connections you can immediately put into motion. | | One Text With...Staci Griffin | | |
Vickie: "What recent progress is driving momentum at the Pinkney Innovation Complex?"
Staci: “Pinkney Innovation Complex (PIC MC) campus tours have been greatly helpful to our overall mission. The tours have strengthened PIC MC’s relationships with industry partners, increased visibility of our work, and created meaningful connections for students and tenants. They showcase innovation within the Tech Park, build credibility with stakeholders, and open doors for internships, workforce pipelines, and future collaboration opportunities."
Vickie: "Thank you for sharing, Staci. This is amazing!"
| | | 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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Looking to strengthen your Core Lab’s financial strategy? We’re excited to share that the Core Lab P&L template from our Spring Training ’26 Core Facilities and Strategic Programs Module is now available on our members-only resource page. This practical tool is built to support smarter planning and clearer financial insights, making it easier to align operations with long-term goals.
👉 Explore the template here on the members-only Resource page
We’re also building out even more valuable resources for you! if you’re willing to share your master plans, sample lease agreements, or other policies, please send them to shelbymartin@aurp.org - we’d love to include them.
| | The Bayh-Dole Coalition has applauded Congress for passing legislation to reauthorize the SBIR/STTR programs, restoring a critical source of funding that supports small businesses, startups, and technology commercialization across the U.S. The bipartisan measure helps ensure continued investment in early-stage innovation, which plays a key role in translating federally funded research into real-world products and economic growth. Learn more | | |
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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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, alongside member Shafin Khan at The Beach at UNO, participated in a high-impact E2 advocacy day in Washington, D.C., engaging with more than a dozen congressional offices across both parties—including key appropriators shaping Department of Energy funding. Representing the voice of innovation-driven business leaders, the group effectively connected real-world impact to critical policies, highlighting the importance of U.S. competitiveness, startup ecosystems, and clean energy advancement. Their efforts underscored priorities such as renewable energy expansion, transmission permitting reform, and support for the bipartisan REWIRE Act, with follow-up engagement already underway to build on the day’s momentum. | |  | A major $2 billion investment by biopharmaceutical company UCB will anchor the Rowen innovation hub in Gwinnett County, Georgia, further positioning the region as a growing center for life sciences and advanced manufacturing. The project—expected to create more than 330 jobs—highlights the momentum behind large-scale, master-planned innovation districts and their ability to attract global companies, talent, and long-term investment. | | | North Carolina State University has proposed the creation of a new Defense and Security Institute to strengthen its role in national security research and increase collaboration with government and industry partners. The initiative, currently in the “Institute in Planning” stage, builds on NC State’s existing defense-related work and aims to enhance competitiveness for DoD funding and strategic research partnerships. Read more | | Hub RTP, the downtown district of Research Triangle Park, has been recognized by Real FDI as one of the top 10 global investment opportunities in life sciences. The $2 billion mixed-use development reflects the region’s strength in talent, infrastructure and innovation, offering a dynamic, walkable environment designed to help companies grow, attract talent and scale. Read more | | The USD Discovery District is reflecting on its first full year of operations, highlighting how a purpose-built research park can evolve into a hub for bioscience innovation, partnerships, and economic impact. Leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration, relationships, and a strong regional ecosystem in connecting university research with industry and supporting commercialization. The District’s early momentum, anchored by new tenants, partnerships, and a long-term development vision, demonstrates how emerging innovation hubs can drive sustainable growth in smaller markets. Read more | | Skanska has secured a $165 million contract to build a new biology teaching and research facility at Texas A&M University, marking a significant investment in modern life sciences infrastructure. The 185,000-square-foot buildingwill replace outdated facilities and include advanced research labs, active-learning classrooms, and collaboration spaces to support growing demand in biological and biomedical research. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027 and be completed by spring 2029, reinforcing Texas A&M’s continued expansion in STEM and research capacity. Read more | | A Bill Gates–backed firm, TerraPower Isotopes, is investing $450 million to build a new cancer drug manufacturing facility at Philadelphia’s Bellwether District, further accelerating the region’s life sciences growth. The project will produce critical radioisotopes used in targeted cancer treatments and is expected to create more than 200 jobs, highlighting the role of innovation districts in attracting advanced manufacturing and breakthrough healthcare technologies. 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! | | | | |
