University-industry group meets at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Representatives from universities and industries involved in research met at Purdue University last week for a University Industry Demonstration Partnership conference.

UIDP is an organization designed to enhance collaborative partnerships among research universities and industry in the United States.

Currently, 133 universities and companies are members of UIDP. In addition, representatives of federal agencies, venture capitalists, service providers and others are affiliate members.

UIDP is organized by the National Academies, which includes the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine and National Research Council.

 Through UIDP, members work to develop and test tools that streamline university-industry technology transfer and research agreements; achieve consensus on guiding principles for university-industry collaborations; challenge long-held beliefs on innovation, sponsored research and technology transfer through the accumulation of data; find and disseminate best practices in university-industry partnering around the globe; and foster extensive personal networks among university and industry representatives.

"UIDP offers tools and unique solutions to help universities and industry work closer together to make innovations happen," said Geanie Umberger, Purdue College of Technology associate dean for engagement. "Purdue, which is a founding member, is recognized as a leader in the space of industry engagement. We have benefitted greatly from our UIDP membership because we have the opportunity to learn what our peers are doing in the space of technology transfer and industrial contracting, which in turn keeps us competitive when engaging with industry for research contacts that support our faculty and students."

During the March 31-April 2 Purdue conference, members heard speakers on a variety of topics, including pre-competitive research, creating a public-private partnership, and barriers to university-industry collaborations.

Prior to the conference, a workshop was offered on negotiating master agreements.

Co-sponsors with Purdue of the conference were Cook Medical, Dow AgroSciences, Eli Lilly and Co., The Boeing Co., National Institute of Science and Wellspring.

More information on UIDP can be found at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/uidp/index.htm 

Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu

Source: Geanie Umberger, 765-496-3723, gumberger@purdue.edu