The University of Maryland to Host AURP 2018 International Conference at the University of Maryland Discovery District: Uniting Science+Technology

Tucson, Arizona - September 20, 2018 - The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) and the University of Maryland have teamed up to present the AURP 2018 International Conference from October 22nd to October 26th. The International Conference attracts 200+ park leaders from around the world for knowledge exchange and networking with industry expert presenters. Read more.

 

AURP Announces Departure of Chief Executive Officer Carol Stewart

Tucson, Arizona - October 17, 2018 - The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) announced today that Chief Executive Officer Carol Stewart will be stepping down from her current role as of October 26, 2018, to pursue a new opportunity, which will be announced in the near future. “Carol has been a dedicated leader and strong advocate for university research parks and the communities they impact. We are grateful for the service she has provided to AURP and wish her continued success in her career,” said AURP President Mason Ailstock. “The CEO position provides an opportunity for an experienced and dedicated executive to build on what she has accomplished as we continue to move AURP forward and serve our membership.” Read more.

 

 

Association of University Research Parks (AURP) Develop Policy Ideas to Increase Economic Impact of Federally Funded Research

Tucson, Arizona-August 20, 2018—The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) has developed a report for the federal government on ways to improve the economic impact of federally funded research. The AURP report for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was in response to a request for ideas issued by the federal government to improve the economic impact of funded research. Read More.

 

 

AURP Response: Federal Technology Transfer Authorities & Processes ROI Initiative

Representing over 700 university and community-based research parks and innovation zones 

worldwide, AURP’s recommendations for improvements to federal laws, regulations and practices to increase the economic impact of federally sponsored research included the AURP White Paper: AURP Power of Place 2.0. 

AURP shares NIST’s interest in developing procedures and policies to increase the economic impact offederal research. Federal labs are partners in many U.S. research parks and university startup firms developed from federally funded research frequently choose to locate in university research parks. Read more.                        

Meet Up with Mason:
Guests Brian Darmody and Julie Lenzer

This month, AURP President, Mason Ailstock spoke with Brian Darmody and Julie Lenzer, IC2018 conference hosts, showcasing the University of Maryland Discovery District and Federal Opportunity Zones. LISTEN HERE.  

AURP ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING - STATE OF THE ASSOCIATION ADDRESS

ROI Research on Investment to work with the Association of University Research Parks as investment attraction Knowledge Partner

Tucson, AZ, May 22nd, 2018 - ROI Research on Investment (ROI), an award winning global authority on investment attraction for economic development organizations, today announced that it will become the Investment Attraction Knowledge Partner of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP). Initially, ROI will host a sereis of webinars and training sessions to AURP membership on topics including: best practices related to lead generation, business development, benchmark assessment/value proposition formulation, cluster targeting and digital marketing. Read more

Regional Innovation Letters of Support

AURP is proud to support the Regional Innovation Program in 2019! Below are two letters written to the House and Senate supporting efforts to increase the funding for the Regional Innovation Program to $50 Million in 2019. Click the thumbnails to learn more!

Regional Innovation Program Awarded $21 Million

On Friday, March 23rd, President Trump signed into law a $1.3 billion federal funding bill, which will fund the government through the end of September 2018 (when Fiscal Year 2018 ends).  The Association of University Research Parks is very pleased to announce that in this bi-partisan funding bill was a major increase in the Commerce Department’s Regional Innovation (RI) Program.  The RI Program will be funded at $21 million in 2018, a $4 million dollar increase over 2017 level. This is the largest increase in 2 years for the RI Program, and the highest funding appropriation in the program’s history.

Commerce’s RI Program—administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA)—is an initiative that supports innovation-driving activities through state, regional and local entities to utilize existing resources, collaboration and continued support of economic recovery. These efforts are focused in high-growth industries by supporting local organizations to drive the transition of research out of labs and into the commercial marketplace.  Applicants for the 1:1 matchedRI Programawards have included nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and entrepreneurship-focused organizations. 

This increase in the RI Program is due in large part by federal advocacy efforts of AURP membership.  On February 27th, several of our AURP members joined the Innovation Advocacy Council (IAC), of which AURP is a member, for a day of meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill.  They lobbied dozens of members of Congress in support of a funding increase for the RI Program.  This effort was also bolstered by many AURP members writing their respective members of Congress requesting they champion the RI Program. 

The FY19 appropriations process is now currently underway.  AURP membership looks forward to taking action in support the RI Program in 2019, including participating in the IAC’s ongoing congressional engagement for another appropriations increase in 2019.