The NSF Industry–University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program accelerates the impact of basic research through close relationships between industry innovators, world-class academic teams, and government leaders. IUCRCs are designed to help corporate partners and government agencies connect directly and efficiently with university researchers to achieve three primary objectives.

• Conduct high-impact research to meet shared industrial needs in companies of all sizes;

• Enhance U.S. global leadership in driving innovative technology development, and;

• Identify, mentor and develop a diverse high-tech, exceptionally skilled workforce.

The IUCRC program provides a structure for academic researchers to conduct fundamental, pre-competitive research of shared interest to industry and government organizations. These organizations pay membership fees to a consortium so that they can collectively envision and fund research, with at least 90% of member funds allocated to the direct costs of these shared research projects.

Universities, academic researchers, and students benefit from IUCRC participation through the research funding, the establishment and growth of industrial partnerships, and educational and career placement opportunities for students. Industry members benefit by accessing knowledge, facilities, equipment, and intellectual property in a highly cost-efficient model; leveraging Center research outcomes in their future proprietary projects; interacting in an informal, collaborative way with other private sector and government entities with shared interests; and identifying and recruiting talent.

For more information, please visit https://iucrc.nsf.gov/about/

• Saving pre-competitive R&D cost

  • NSF will match dollar for dollar. If your company decides to join eCAT, NSF will match your annual membership fee, thus, effectively doubling the amount of funding.

  • eCAT members have access to all research projects and IPs generated by the whole eCAT center. 

  • Serving on the IAB board will allow you to decide what projects are executed in the eCAT center.

• Connection within the eCAT Ecosystem

  • Shared IPs give your company early access to projects that might benefit your company in making strategic decisions. 

  • Collaborating with potential Tier 1s and OEMs gives your company a potential connection and see where the industry is headed.

• Low University Overhead

  • Traditionally, universities charge more than 50% overhead for contracts. With eCAT IUCRC, the maximum overhead is 10%.

• Early access to talents

  • Ph.D, Masters, and undergraduate students working in the center are familiar with problems defined by our IAB advisory board.