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An Industry / University An Industry / University Partnership in PolymersPartnership in Polymers

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University of Massachusetts University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst

http://www.polymer.org

NSF I/UCRC Annual MeetingJanuary 12, 2006

James Capistran, Director

• is a Center which promotes and coordinates polymer research collaborations between the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Industry / Government.

• was established in 1980 as a National Science Foundation / Industry - University Collaborative Research Center (I/UCRC).

• presently has 45+ industrial members (~ 20 in consortium program)

• is multidisciplinary: at the interface of Polymers, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics.

Mission Statement: To act as a cross-roads where University research andeducation meet with Industrial and Government partners in Polymer Scienceand Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The Center for UMass and Industry Research on Polymers ...

CUMIRP basicsCUMIRP basics

CUMIRP HistoryCUMIRP History

The Center was established as an NSF I/UCRC in 1980

• NSF support• $ 40,000 annual fee structure for members• Consortium agreement with non-exclusive, royalty free license option• Director – Faculty member and researcher• Industrial Advisory Board and Evaluator

• Steering Committee: CUMIRP Director, PSE Department Head, NSF-MRSEC (MRL) Director, 2 Co-Principal Investigators• The Center officially reports to the Vice Provost for Research• No Cost to the University - indirect cost with overhead return

All important to the long-term success of CUMIRP

CUMIRP TransitionCUMIRP Transition

Memberships: 1980’s: typically 14 – 18, with a low of 7 in 1993

Challenge: alignment with Industrial needs 1980 – 1990 Industry wanted access ….. to Univ., faculty and students 1990 – 2000 Research had to be aligned with Business Units

CUMIRP was redefined in 1994

• Consortium - Lower fee structure based on company size (5, 15, 25), but limited participation in research (thrust) programs• Added Full-time Director position – focused on the Center operations• Agreement with University to manage Sponsored Research Contracts and Unrestricted Grants through the Center

• Part I - is our Research Consortium program where members join research Clusters organized around specific research themes (based on NSF/IUCRC format)

• Part II - is one-on-one Sponsored Research where members sponsor research programs tailored to their R&D needs

• Part III - is for Unrestricted Research Grants which allows for creative and unrestricted use of funds

• Part IV - is for short duration, scoping projects for idea development and feasibility(added in 2002)

CUMIRP has 4 basic programs for interactions...

CUMIRP’s StructureCUMIRP’s Structure1994 to present1994 to present

• Cooperative Research Clusters based on the NSF - I/UCRC format

• Members select the Cluster(s) in which they would like to participate

• Annual Cluster dues: $ 6, 18 and 30K for small, medium and large companies Discounts: for additional Cluster(s) or ‘Membership-at-Large’ option for up to 4 Clusters

• Sponsors influence direction of research, participate in cluster meetings & semi-annual CUMIRP meetings, serve on the Industrial Advisory Board

• Access to royalty-free, non-exclusive licenses; pre-publication notification

• Cost effective way to participate in polymer research with other member companies having common research interests and a great way to leverage research funds

CUMIRP Part I is a collaborative consortium program...

CUMIRP Part ICUMIRP Part I

CUMIRP Part I ‘Clusters’CUMIRP Part I ‘Clusters’FY 2005FY 2005

Cluster Topic Leaders

B Polymers in the BioArena Santore & Tew 4 companies

F Fire-Safe Polymers & Polymer Composites Coughlin, Farris, et. al. 7 companies, 3 federal agencies

G Green Chemistry, Physics and Engineering of Polymers Hsu, McCarthy, et. al. 4 companies, 1 federal agency (parallels NEGCC)

M Mechanics of Polymers: Structure & Performance Lesser 4 companies

N Nanoscopic Structures Russell, Tuominen, et.al. 7 companies, 1 federal agency (parallels MRSEC)

- Clusters come-and-go based on Industrial interest; each is ‘unique’ - Represents ~ 45% of Center Program funds

CUMIRP Part II is 1-on-1 Sponsored Research...

CUMIRP Parts II, III and IVCUMIRP Parts II, III and IV

• 1-on-1 Research Programs provide for a relationship that can accommodate proprietary subjects and materials under a sponsored research agreement

CUMIRP Part III is for Unrestricted Research Grants...

CUMIRP Part IV is for short duration, scoping projects...

• Unrestricted grants allow for more creative / exploratory research; promotes Advancement of Science in Professor’s area of interest; Lower IC rate

• Short term programs designed to ‘scope out’ feasibility of ideas and to develop ideas for longer term programs; Simple contract; Lower IC rate

These programs allow ‘full-service’ and generates added income for Center operations.

• Sponsored research at the University:- provides research results, knowledge and learnings from the research programs- allows members certain rights to intellectual property

• Interactions with Faculty:

- allow industrial members to keep abreast of the latest science and technology- provide exposure to thinking outside of a particular business area- can often be a sounding board for ideas - are a source of expertise covering most areas of polymer science

• Interactions with Students:

- expose them to the ‘real world’ of business with a very different perspective than academia- slightly more ‘applied’ research (but still basic)- provide an opportunity for companies to expose students to career opportunities within their

organization, their R&D interests and their products- give the industrial sponsor the opportunity to highlight their company

Industrial Interactions through CUMIRP provide broad benefits...

BenefitsBenefits

Both Industry and the University benefit from the relationship...

BenefitsBenefits

• Interactions with the Department:

- aid us in funding students so that we can continue to attract the best candidates and develop the next generation of polymer scientists

- help us to remain a top program through affiliations with companies

• Interactions through CUMIRP:

- provide a venue for interactions with other companies and government agencies- have led to collaborative research programs with customers and suppliers- give you access to a state-of-the-art polymer facility- leverage your R&D funds through the consortium and other programs

• Overall Interactions with Industry:

- afford us an opportunity to develop long-term relationships between Industry and our faculty and students through research programs, meetings and lectures, visiting scientists, field trips and coop programs

• CUMIRP has 2 full time staff members: the Director and the Assistant to the Director• Oversight is from a five-member CUMIRP Steering Committee• An Industrial Advisory Board comprised of member participants provide guidance

CUMIRP management structure

CUMIRP managementCUMIRP managementand operationsand operations

Customers and ServicesCustomers: Industry and Gov’t Members (and non-members), Faculty, Students

Services provided:Technical Liaison NDA, IP and Tech Transfer Meetings and Events Marketing/Communications Industrial Seminars Campus CommitteesFinancial Management In-House Consulting Alumni (incl. billing/receipts) (Univ, Ctrs., Fac, Stud.) Feedback / DirectionContract negotiations Special Arrangements Continuous ContactAgreement monitoring

‘One-Stop’ Point of Contact!!!

CUMIRP – FutureCUMIRP – FutureChallenges and IssuesChallenges and Issues

University / Industrial Research is changing …. again

Industrial issues:Out-sourcing R&D, often looking for ‘ready-to-use’ technologyUniversity mission vs. Industrial needs (focus and timing)Small and Mid-sized companies and VC’sStock market dictates industrial R&D expenditures Philanthropy is all but goneContinuity – People and Businesses

Intellectual Property remains an issue

Global competition for research: Ex-U.S costs and IP

Educational costs are rising rapidly, Growth is tough!

Approaches to remain successful:Stay creative, flexible and responsiveContinually assess strengths and directions: Identify positive collaborations and … Do well what we do well