|
❗REMINDER AURP MEMBERS: OPEN 2026 membership invoices will lapse on February 28th!
Avoid interruption of your benefits to access AURP programs, resouces, member directory and communications by taking immediate action.
| | | To Renew: Log into the AURP Portal and select your organization profile, in the upper right corner of screen. Click on the bell icon to pay your Outstanding Balance due. If there are any issues, please reach out to Shelby Martin. | | |
AURP SPRING TRAINING continues as the exclusive executive forum—purpose-built for CEOs and senior leaders driving research parks, innovation districts, and regional innovation ecosystems. With a limited, high-caliber cohort, this interactive program goes beyond broad conferences to deliver strategic insight and peer engagement you can’t get elsewhere.
This program is a strategic masterclass of experts and peers sharing concrete experience, debate pressing challenges, and shape actionable frameworks for growth, resilience, and sustainability in innovation networks.
Spring Training 2026 is for leaders who expect more: executive-level discourse, selective participation, and immediate relevance to the top priorities on your agenda.
| | | |
Join AURP for our INSIGHT INTO RESEARCH PARKS (I2RP) at GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY in Manassas, VA on April 22-23 for a dynamic, hands-on exploration of this soaring innovation community.
Why Attend?: This high-impact program brings together thought leaders, economic developers, research park managers, and university and industry partners to witness first-hand the infrastructure, culture, and community that supports 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.
| | | |
Mark your calendar for the AURP 2026 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE hosted by PEGASUS PARK in Dallas, TX, September 29-October 1.
Celebrating Pegasus Park's 5th anniversary and AURP's 40th, learn how this community is fostering new industries and investing to support sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness.. Watch for more updates as planning evolves.
| | | One Text With... UST MAx! | | For this week's "One Text With . . . ", Vickie Palmer, AURP CEO, connects with Dr. Philipina A. Marcelo, Assistant to the Rector for UST Manila Annex (City of Santa Rosa), or "UST MAx", with Dr. Seigfred V. Prado, Executive Assistant, and Engr. Shikara P. Jose, Project Management Assistant. The three form the UST MAx core Team of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, Philippines. | | |
Vickie: "As our newest international member, how is your innovation-based development impacting your community and the UST Manila Annex?"
UST MAx: “We had the formal inauguration of the UST–Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute (UST-WiTBIRIn) on December 12, 2025. Made possible through the generous support of one of our distinguished alumni, Dr. William T. Belo, this new 8,311 m² research institute strengthens our vision of building a full research, innovation, and entrepreneurship district in the City of Santa Rosa.
UST-WiTBIRIn brings together laboratories in food innovation and agritech, global health innovations, energy futures, environmental sustainability, emerging communications technologies, and materials—accelerating interdisciplinary R&D and streamlining the path from fundamental research to commercialization. Its integration with the UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center ensures that the design framework, technologies, and solutions developed within WiTBIRIn move swiftly toward incubation, technology transfer, and industry partnerships.
This institute marks a major milestone not only for UST Manila Annex, but also for our goal of establishing a globally engaged research ecosystem that supports industry-driven innovation in the Philippines and beyond.”
Vickie: "This is great, thank you for sharing on your impact and contributions to the region and beyond."
| | | Resources & Announcements | | |
📌 AURP's 2026 COMPENSATION SURVEY is open for responses. Your confidential input is helpful for all members in preparing for annual budgets when considering salary and benefits.
This year, we are concentrating on gathering information to include regional perspectives to know how your compensation program stacks up against those of your peers. Your input is confidential and invaluable to all AURP members.Then, take advantage of the information compiled to assist you and your institution in determining equitable compensation arrangements.
Deadline to respond is Friday, April 17th. Take the Survey.
| | The Bayh-Dole Coalition has incorporated AURP’s economic impact data on research parks into its one-pager outlining the impacts of a proposed patent royalty tax, reinforcing how research parks contribute to technology commercialization, job creation, and regional economic growth. This use of AURP members' data helps support the case against policies that could hinder innovation networks. Read more | | |
Is Your University Applying for NSF Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Grant Funding?
AURP is available to support universities and other applicants pursuing NSF 25-548: Accelerating Research Translation (ART) funding by providing a letter of collaboration. With more than 40 years of experience supporting research parks and innovation districts, AURP helps strengthen technology commercialization and partnership networks.
To explore obtaining a letter of collaboration or other ways AURP can support your ART proposal, please, contact Vickie Palmer, CEO or Brian Darmody, Chief Strategy Officer.
| | A reversal of proposed sharp NIH funding cuts has preserved critical research support for the biotech and life sciences sector, maintaining stability for university research, translational science, and emerging companies dependent on federal investment. This outcome reinforces the importance of sustained public funding for innovation ecosystems and long-term competitiveness. Read more | | AURP members in the region are encouraged to attend the MPACT Conference, March 25–27, 2026 at the University of Maryland, College Park, for a valuable opportunity to connect directly with the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP). With NSF TIP leadership featured on the program, this convening offers a timely forum to engage around regional innovation, cross-sector partnerships, and public impact research alongside leaders from academia, government, industry, and nonprofits. Learn more | | InBIA has partnered with TIME as an industry partner for the magazine’s inaugural ranking of America’s Top Incubators & Accelerators, recognizing programs that deliver meaningful 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, helping spotlight standout programs nationwide. The final rankings will be published in TIME in August 2026. 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 | | AURP member Thomas Luginbill, Executive Director of the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College, has been selected as one of 53 leaders in Leadership Maryland’s prestigious 2026 Executive Program. | |  | The UCLA Research Park previewed plans for a new Quantum Innovation Hub aimed at growing quantum science, industry partnerships, and workforce development in Southern California. The initiative is designed to bring together researchers, startups, and corporate partners to accelerate quantum technology commercialization and strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem. | | | AURP members were well represented at the AUTM 2026 Annual Meeting in Seattle, with participation from NIIMBL and numerous AURP-member universities across the country, along with AURP sponsors AstraZeneca and First Ignite. AURP shared in discussions on NSF TIP Accelerating Research Translation (ART) grant opportunities and other funding initiatives, as well as policy issues including challenges to university intellectual property and royalty frameworks raised by the Bayh-Dole Coalition. Read more | | The USD Discovery District has released its full announcement on returning as a 2026 Medical Alley Summit sponsor, highlighting South Dakota’s bioscience growth, strategic partnerships, and insights from its latest global case study on OmegaQuant. The statement includes perspectives from both Medical Alley’s President & CEO and USD Discovery District President Ryan Oines on the significance of this collaboration. Read more. | | GO-Topeka celebrates the ribbon cutting of Link Innovation Labs, a new collaborative workspace designed to support startups, entrepreneurs, and tech innovators in the region. The initiative aims to strengthen Topeka’s innovation ecosystem by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. Read more | | The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has opened a new Interdisciplinary Research Edifice at UST-MAX designed to enhance collaboration across scientific, engineering, and health disciplines. The facility aims to strengthen research capacity, support innovation, and foster partnerships that drive regional and global impact. Read more | | South Carolina’s SC NEXUS expansion has been recognized as the first statewide U.S. tech hub, connecting research institutions, industry partners, and workforce development efforts across the state to accelerate innovation and economic growth. The initiative highlights how coordinated regional ecosystems can drive tech commercialization, attract investment, and strengthen competitiveness. Read more | | A new SSTI blog post examines the growing challenge of underutilized university facilities and research space, often described as “echoing empty halls”, and the implications for innovation ecosystems, economic impact, and community engagement. The analysis highlights how effective planning, partnership, and reactivation strategies can help institutions transform underused space into assets that support commercialization, entrepreneurship, and regional growth. Read more | | Eli Lilly has announced a historic $3.5 billion investment in Pennsylvania, including major expansions of its manufacturing and research facilities that are expected to create thousands of jobs and strengthen the state’s life sciences and biotech ecosystem. This landmark commitment reflects growing industry confidence in regional innovation clusters and their capacity to support advanced manufacturing, talent development, and economic growth. Read more | | |
Check out the AURP Career Center to discover your next career opportunity, including:
-
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! | | | | |
