UNLV to Showcase Rising Research Excellence at AURP 2025 International Conference, Nov. 11-14
Tucson, AZ and College Park, MD, March 5, 2025 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global nonprofit membership association dedicated to supporting university-based research parks and innovation districts, announces the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) will host the AURP 2025 International Conference (IC2025) in Las Vegas, NV, November 11-14, 2025. Read More.
AURP Reaction: New Cap on NIH Facilities & Administrative Costs of Research
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, February 10, 2025 – AURP, a global nonprofit membership association serving university and institutional research park communities and innovation districts, today released a statement on the sudden change in NIH policy concerning reimbursement of institutions for medical research and funds needed for bio research infrastructure in research facilities across the United States. Read More.
AURP Announces 2025 Board of Directors and Officers
Tucson, AZ, December 4, 2024 – AURP, the leading nonprofit representing research parks, innovation districts and regional technology clusters, today announced its elected 2025 Board of Directors and Officers. The AURP Board of Directors are elected by their peers among the AURP member network. Read More.
AURP 28th Annual Awards of Excellence Honor R&D Institutions, Companies and Individuals
Tucson, AZ, November 14, 2024 – Tech Port San Antonio – an innovation and technology campus and dynamic hub for aerospace, manufacturing, cybersecurity and robotics – has been named the 2024 “Outstanding Innovation District” at the AURP 2024 International Conference (Nov. 11-14) at the University of Arkansas. Harry Brislin IV, AURP Awards Committee Chair, AURP Board Secretary and Executive Director of the USA Technology & Research Park, served as emcee of the evening’s award festivities. Read More.
University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas Technology Development Foundation Set to Host AURP 2024 International Conference
Tucson, Arizona, November 6, 2024 - The University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas Technology Development Foundation (UATDF) will take center stage as they host the AURP 2024 International Conference (IC2024), November 11-14. The Northwest Arkansas region will welcome 200+ leaders from universities, innovation districts and tech hubs plus master planning, architectural and development firms, to network and engage in best practices sharing on a range of relevant topics, including: placemaking and workforce development strategies, innovation district planning and design plus university-led economic development and innovation ecosystems. Read More.
AURP and NACRO Launch Partnership to Foster Communities of Corporate Innovation
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, October 24, 2024 – AURP has announced the launch of a strategic partnership with the Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers (NACRO). With this partnership, AURP and NACRO will collaborate to leverage the intersections of people, topics and issues common to each organization to spur new work in university research, university-corporate relations, technology transfer and technology commercialization. Read More.
AURP Wins Stage Two of U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Washington, DC and Tucson, AZ, September 25, 2024 – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced the Association of University Research Parks has been selected as one of 44 Stage Two winners for the SBA 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. Read More.
AURP and the Federal Laboratory Consortium Launch Strategic Partnership
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, August 14, 2024 – AURP, the leading nonprofit representing research parks, innovation districts and regional technology clusters, today announced the launch of a strategic partnership with the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC). Read More.
AURP Wins Stage One of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, April 24, 2024 – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) this week announced the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) as a Stage One winner for the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). AURP will receive a $50,000 cash prize for its impactful and inclusive approach to nurturing a collaborative national innovation ecosystem to advance small business research and development (R&D) from ideas to the market. Read More.
The University of Arkansas & University of Arkansas Technology Development Foundation to Host AURP 2024 International Conference
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, March 26, 2024 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global nonprofit membership association serving university and institutional research communities and innovation districts, today announced the University of Arkansas (U of A) and University of Arkansas Technology Development Foundation (UATDF) will host the AURP 2024 International Conference (IC2024), November 11-14, 2024, in Bentonville and Fayetteville. Read More.
AURP Survey: Two-Thirds of North American Research Parks & Innovation Districts Report Active New Building Projects
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, March 7, 2024 – More than two-thirds of North American university-based research parks and innovation districts report they are currently building or about to start major building projects, according to new survey results from the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) and Canadian-based consulting firm, Stiletto Consulting Ltd. Read more.
AURP Announces 2024 Board Of Directors and Officers
Tucson, AZ, December 5, 2023 – AURP, a 37-year global nonprofit association representing research parks, innovation districts, technology regions and residing firms in support of the growth and development of these communities, today announces its 2024 elected Board members and Officers. Erin Koshut, Executive Director of Cummings Research Park, to serve year-two as AURP Board President. Read more.
Nebraska Innovation Campus Named Outstanding Research Park at AURP 27th Annual Awards of Excellence
Tucson, AZ, October 19, 2023 – The Nebraska Innovation Campus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been named the 2023 “Outstanding Research Park” at the Association of University Research Parks’ (AURP) 2023 International Conference (Oct. 16-19) at the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus. AURP is the leading nonprofit organization representing research parks, innovation districts, tech hubs and all communities of innovation. Read more.
University of Delaware STAR Campus to Host AURP 2023 International Conference
Tucson, AZ, October 10, 2023 – The University of Delaware's (UD) Science, Technology and Advanced Research Campus (STAR Campus) is set to take center stage as it hosts the AURP 2023 International Conference, October 16-19. This prestigious event will bring together leaders from research parks, innovation districts and technology hubs worldwide for high-impact knowledge exchange and networking opportunities. Read more.
AURP Releases White Paper on History of Research Parks / Innovation Districts and Relevance to CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, September 7, 2023 – With a robust array of new federal policies supporting innovation and tech-based economic development, expanding the impact and reach of university-based research parks and innovation districts across the U.S. is vital in fueling the nation’s economic growth and global competitiveness, according to a new white paper from AURP. Read more.
AURP Announces Formation of “Clean Tech and Building Resiliency Caucus” Supporting Communities of Energy Innovation
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, March 15, 2023 – AURP, a global nonprofit membership association serving university and institutional research park communities and innovation districts, today announced the formation of the AURP Clean Tech and Building Resiliency Caucus. Read more.
University of Delaware and STAR Campus to Host AURP 2023 International Conference
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, March 1, 2023 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global nonprofit membership association serving university and institutional research park communities and innovation districts, has announced the University of Delaware (UD) and its Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus as host of AURP’s 2023 International Conference, Oct. 16-19. Read more.
AURP Launches “Communities Of Innovation 101 On-Demand Education Series” for Building & Growing Research Parks, Innovation Districts & Tech Hubs
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, February 22, 2023 – AURP, a nonprofit organization representing research parks, innovation districts, technology regions and the firms to support the growth and development of these communities, today announced the launch of its on-demand “Communities of Innovation 101 Education Series” (COI 101), a professional development and education product geared to helping professionals start and grow university-based research parks and innovation districts. Read more.
AURP Announces 2023 Board Of Directors and Officers
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, January 9, 2023 – AURP, a 37-year global nonprofit organization representing research parks, innovation districts, technology regions, and the firms to support the growth and development of these communities, today announced its 2023 elected board members and officers. Read more.
AURP White Paper Calls on Research Parks and Related Entities to Prepare to Compete for Funds from the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, December 15, 2022 – Research parks, innovation districts and related entities across the United States should prepare and strategize now to compete for federal funding from the recently enacted CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, according to a new white paper from AURP, the leading nonprofit organization representing research parks and innovation districts. Read more.
AURP to Work with SSTI to Accelerate Tech-Based Economic Development
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, October 18, 2022 – AURP, the leading nonprofit organization representing research parks and innovation districts, today announced the launch of a collaboration with the State Science & Technology Institute (SSTI) to join in implementing components of a new U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant that aims to accelerate technology-based economic development (TBED) across the country. Read more.
Tritan™ Renew™ from Eastman Receives “Innovation Award” at AURP’s 2022 Annual Awards of Excellence
Tucson, AZ, October 3, 2022 – Tritan™ Renew™ from Eastman – a product of a Polyester Recycling Technology that uses recycled plastic as a raw material for use in a range of products – has been selected to receive the 2022 “Innovation Award” at the Association of University Research Parks’ (AURP) 2022 International Conference (Sept. 19-22) held at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto. Read more.
University of South Florida Research Park Named Outstanding Research Park / Innovation District at AURP Annual Awards of Excellence
Tucson, AZ, September 21, 2022 – The University of South Florida (USF) Research Park has been named the 2022 “Outstanding Research Park / Innovation District” at the Association of University Research Parks’ (AURP) 2022 International Conference (Sept. 19-22) at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto. AURP is the leading nonprofit organization representing research parks and innovation districts. Read more.
AURP Congratulates Recipients of U.S. EDA $1 Billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge Grants
Tucson, AZ and College Park, MD, September 2, 2022 - AURP, the leading nonprofit organization representing research parks and innovation districts, today congratulated 21 regional economic development organizations selected to receive competitive grants as part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $1 Billion American Rescue Plan Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Read more.
Greater Toronto Research Parks Drive Region’s Robust Growth in North American Tech Talent
Tucson, AZ, September 1, 2022 - With the entrepreneurial dynamism behind Greater Toronto's MaRS Discovery District, David Johnston Research + Technology Park and McMaster Innovation Park, the Toronto region has netted the third most technology-based employment growth between 2016 and 2021 among 50 North American markets, according to a recent report from CRBE. Greater Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District, David Johnston R + T Park and McMaster Innovation Park co-host AURP’s 2022 International Conference, Sept. 19-22. Read more.
AURP Announces Formation of Air and Space Caucus Launching Communities of Innovation
Tucson, AZ, August 24, 2022 - AURP today announces the formation of the AURP Air and Space Caucus, expanding its organization scope to include communities of innovation in air and space technologies. Read more.
AURP to Host 2022 BIO Health Caucus on “Growing Bio Clusters and Bio Companies” June 12-13 in San Diego
Tucson, AZ, April 20, 2022 - AURP, the leading non-profit representing research parks, innovation districts and regional technology clusters, today announced its BIO Health Caucus will take place in-person, June 12-13, before the start of the 2022 Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention in San Diego, CA. Read more.
AURP Announces Executive Team Realignment
Tucson, AZ, April 5, 2022 - AURP, the leading nonprofit representing research parks, innovation districts and regional technology clusters, today announced a realignment of its executive team to optimize AURP’s continued success and global development strategies. Read more.
AURP Announces Canada’s MaRS Discovery District, McMaster Innovation Park & David Johnston Research + Technology Park to Co-Host AURP 2022 International Conference
Tucson, AZ and Hamilton, ON, March 23, 2022 - AURP, the leading nonprofit representing research parks, innovation districts and regional technology clusters, today announced MaRS Discovery District, David Johnston Research + Technology Park and McMaster Innovation Park will co-host AURP’s 2022 International Conference, September 19-22, in Toronto, Ontario. Read more.
AURP Welcomes Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio Innovation Districts
Tucson, Arizona and Columbus, OH, March 15, 2022 - AURP, the leading nonprofit representing research parks, innovation districts and regional technology clusters, welcomes Ohio’s Innovation Districts in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus to its membership and as an AURP sponsor. Read more.
AURP Announces 2022 Board of Directors and Officers
Tucson, Arizona, January 13, 2022 - AURP, a 36-year global nonprofit organization representing research parks, innovation districts, technology regions, and the firms supporting the growth and development of these communities, today announced its 2022 newly elected Board Members and Officers. Read more.
AURP Congratulates U.S. EDA Phase One Build Back Better Awardees
Tucson, Arizona, December 16, 2021 - AURP, a 35-year global nonprofit membership organization serving research park communities, innovation districts and regional technology hubs, today congratulated the 60 jurisdictions winning $500,000 Regional Challenge planning grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Read more.
AURP Presents Annual Awards of Excellence at 2021 International Conference at the University of Utah Research Park
Tucson, Arizona, October 28, 2021 - The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global non-profit membership organization serving the institutional research park and innovation district community, presented its 2021 Awards of Excellence honorees last week at AURP’s 2021 International Conference hosted by the University of Utah Research Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition to its awards presentations, AURP celebrated its 35th Anniversary of Advancing Innovation & Economic Growth. Read more.
AURP to Host Inaugural Space Day Conference, Salt Lake City, October 21
Tucson, AZ, August 11, 2021 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a 35-year global nonprofit membership organization serving university and institutional research park communities and innovation districts, will host its inaugural AURP Space Day, October 21, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT. AURP Space Day to feature regional, state and national leaders with a focus on developing innovation clusters on the ground to fuel the global entrepreneurial space economy. Read more.
University of Utah Research Park Set to Host AURP 2021 International Conference In-Person
Celebrating 35 years, AURP’s International Conference to spotlight the University of Utah Research Park’s technology commercialization and high-growth entrepreneurial prowess
Tucson, Arizona, July 26, 2021 – Returning to its first in-person programming this fall, the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a 35-year global nonprofit membership organization serving university and institutional research park communities and innovation districts, announces the University of Utah Research Park is set once again to host AURP’s 2021 International Conference, October 18-21, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT. Read full press release.
AURP and BHI Announce Article in Journal of Commercial Biotechnology
Tucson, AZ; Rockville, MD; College Park, MD, April 21, 2021 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) and BioHealth Innovation (BHI) today announce publication of Creating Communities of Life Science Innovation in the U.S.: History of Critical Factors That Helped the BioHealth Capital Region Emerge in the Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, (Vol 26, No. 1, March 2021). In this new article, AURP CEO Brian Darmody outlines the history of critical policy factors leading to the growth of the bio-economy in the U.S. BHI CEO and President Richard Bendis discusses specific leadership and other factors in the Capital Region of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Policies and trends such as the Land Grant Act, Bayh-Dole Act, NIH's founding, growth of the venture financing industry, and the emergence of research parks and innovation districts and related factors also are discussed. Read more.
AURP-BHI Article
AURP Announces the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory Joins as First Orbiting AURP Member
Tucson, AZ and Melbourne, FL, March 8, 2021 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global nonprofit membership organization celebrating 35 years of serving the university and institutional research parks community, today announced the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), manager of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, has become a new AURP member. Read more.
AURP President Leah Burton Releases Public Comments for USPTO’s National Strategy for Expanding American Innovation
Tucson, AZ, February 11, 2021 – AURP, a global nonprofit membership organization serving the university and institutional research parks community, today released the following public comment from Leah Burton, AURP President and Director of Partnerships at NC State University, in regard to the US Patent and Trademark Office’s Request for Comments on development of its National Strategy for Expanding American Innovation. Read more.
AURP Elects New 2021 Board Members and Executive Officers
Tucson, AZ, December 17, 2020 - The Association of University Research Park (AURP), a global non-profit membership organization serving the institutional research park and innovation district community, announces the installation of its 2021 board members and executive officers during the AURP Annual Business Meeting State of the Association Address held virtually on December 15, 2020. Read more.
AURP Presents Annual Awards of Excellence at 2020 Virtual International Conference
Tucson, AZ, November 17, 2020 - The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global non-profit membership organization serving the institutional research park and innovation district community, presented its 2020 Awards of Excellence honorees last week at AURP's 2020 International Conference held virtually, November 2-6. Read more.
AURP 2020 International Conference Presents Revolution's Steve Case and BIO's Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, Nov 2-6
Tucson, AZ, October 20, 2020 - The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global nonprofit membership organization serving the university and institutional research parks community, announced today that Steve Case, AOL Founder and Revolution CEO, and Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, President and CEO, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), will keynote its virtual 2020 International Conference, November 2-6.
America's Bio and Pharma Manufacturing Renaissance: Where Do We Go From Here?
Tucson, AZ, August 10, 2020 - Two of the nation’s hottest COVID-19 topics is the need for the U.S. to ensure medical supply lines through domestic pharma and bio manufacturing plus maintaining our scientific expertise in bio innovations. Billions of dollars of funding for new vaccine production are being deployed across the country; medical device production is increasing; and new policies are being debated in Congress and The White House. Read more.
AURP Announces the 2020 BIO Health Caucus: Virtual and Vital June 3-4, 2020
Tucson, Arizona, April 23, 2020 - AURP’s 2020 BIO Health Caucus (goes DIGITAL on June 3-4) explores trends in life science research, opportunity zone funding, the marriage of life science and philanthropy, and finding funding for projects and facilities during a global pandemic. At this digital event, attendees will discover the role that biomedical clusters play in innovation ecosystems and translating discoveries from lab to market. View BIO Health Caucus agenda.
Association of University Research Parks COVID-19 / Novel Coronavirus Update
Tucson, Arizona, March 17, 2020 - The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has touched the lives and businesses of our friends and colleagues across our community of innovation. Our research community has been impacted by recent cancellations of conferences, closure of universities, and large gatherings. Our deepest sympathy goes out to those affected. Keeping in line with our mission to foster innovation, commercialization and economic growth in a global economy through university, industry and government partnerships, AURP will explore online educational offerings that build upon existing fundamentals to overcome these challenging scenarios. Read more.
Mtech Ventures, Association of University of Research Parks and Center for Accelerating Innovation win $50K in SBA funding to support Opportunity Zone innovation
College Park, Maryland, February 11, 2020 - Mtech Ventures, a university of Maryland technology company incubator program, won a $50,000 U.S. Small Business Administration Growth Accelerator Fun competition award to support innovation in federal Opportunity Zones in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Through the gran, Mtech Ventures is partnering with the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) and the Center for Accelerating Innovation to organize community-needs roundtables, identify promising innovations, develop entrepreneurs and build awareness of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Tech Transfer (STTR) program in low-income census tracts called federal Opportunity Zones (OZ). Read more.
Association of University Research Parks Announces 2020 Board of Directors and Officers
Tucson, Arizona, December 16, 2019 - The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global non-profit membership organization serving the institutional research park and innovation district community, today announced its 2019-2020 Board of Directors and Officers. Read more.
AURP Presents Annual Awards of Excellence at 2019 International Conference at Georgia Tech's Tech Square
Tucson, Arizona, November 12, 2019 - The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global non-profit membership organization serving the institutional research park and innovation district community, presented its 2019 Awards of Excellence honorees last week at AURP’s 2019 International Conference hosted by Georgia Tech’s Tech Square in Atlanta. In addition to its awards presentations, AURP announced its 2020 Board of Directors and Officers. Read more.
AURP 2019 International Conference to Present New Report on the Evolution of Innovation Districts
Global Institute on Innovation Districts' Julie Wagner & Tom Osha to unveil "The Evolution of Innovation Districts: The New Geography of Global Innovation"
Tucson, Arizona, October 23, 2019 - The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global nonprofit membership organization serving the university and institutional research parks community, announced today the Global Institute on Innovation Districts will unveil its inaugural research report, "The Evolution of Innovation Districts: The New Geography of Global Innovation," at the AURP 2019 International Conference, November 4-7, in Atlanta. Read more.
AURP Announces New CEO and Launches ‘AURP HQ2’ in Washington, DC Area
Tucson, AZ, and College Park, MD, Feb. 7, 2019 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a professional association of university-related research and science parks, announced the appointment of Brian Darmody, Associate Vice President of Corporate Engagement at the University of Maryland (UMD), as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Additionally, the association has opened a new office at the UMD Discovery District in the Washington, DC area, to be known as ‘AURP HQ2.’ Mr. Darmody will immediately assume his new role as CEO at the new location. He will continue his role at UMD and plans to transition out of UMD over time. Read more.
Genopole receives AURP Award of Excellence for Outstanding Research Park
Evry, France, October 26, 2018 – Genopole, a French biocluster dedicated to research in the fields of genetics and biotechnology, today announces it has received the AURP Award of Excellence for Outstanding Research Park. This is the first time a member outside the US has been acknowledged. The announcement was made during AURP’s International Annual Conference in Baltimore (Maryland). Read more.
AURP Honors Awards of Excellence Recipients at its 2018 International Conference
AURP Announces 2018 Board of Directors and Newly Elected Leadership
College Park, MD, October 25, 2018 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) today announced this year’s Awards of Excellence recipients during a luncheon at the 2018 International Conference hosted by the University of Maryland’s Discovery District in College Park, MD. Throughout the conference, the association announced other award recipients and this morning, AURP announced the newest members of its 2019 Board of Directors and the organization’s elected officials.
This year’s 2018 Awards of Excellence categories included the Outstanding Research Park Award, the Developing Communities of Innovation Award, the Emerging Research Park Award, the Leadership Award, the Vision Award, the Innovation Award and three Career Achievement Awards. Additional awards were received by two members of Congress. Read more.
