Is the NSF I/UCRC Model Relevant for Today’s Technology Enterprise?

Technology based organizations typically dedicate their R&D spends to their core products/services and often protect their newly created Intellectual Property (IP) creations under US Patent Law. Yet, quite often, there remains a host of research to be done for non-core products/services that add value to a process or environment, solve secondary issues or perhaps enhance user operation.

And quite often, these non-core research projects get pushed to the bottom of the priority project list, go unfunded, or go undone for lack of research expertise.

For thirty years, the NSF Industry/ University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) model for industry and academia to formally join forces to conduct research on these non-core projects – is available, is below market prices for the research expertise, and is proven to deliver considerable returns on investment and other significant soft benefits to members.

There are more than 50 different I/UCRC’s conducting research for emerging technologies. If you have a research need, chances are that there is a multi-university consortium for your organization.

For example, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the newest site to the Safety, Security, Rescue Research Center (SSR-RC), joining the University of Minnesota (Lead Site), University of Pennsylvania and University of Denver. This consortium conducts research in the field of emerging technologies in Safety, Security and Rescue including a variety of topics in healthcare, manufacturing, homeland security and emergency preparedness and response.

UNC Charlotte’s passion and expertise is aligned with focus on the safety, capability and well being of humans as workers, patients and customers. As a research partner, we attract healthcare organizations that provide products and services like specialized chairs/stretchers/beds, as well as manufacturers and material handlers that are enhancing their assembly, materials handling and working environments by improving processes through robotics and sensor systems augmented with data analysis.

If you have a research need, contact the National Science Foundation to find an I/UCRC conducting research aligned with your need.

For more information on membership opportunities with UNC Charlotte SSR-RC please contact:
Kathy Elkins
Business Development Director
704‑995‑7558
kelkins@uncc.edu