UMass/Industry Research on Polymers: A Collaboration for Innovation and Advancement

1. NSF I/UCRC Annual Meeting January 12, 2006 James Capistran, Director Center for UMass / Industry Research on Polymers An Industry / University Partnership in Polymers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst http://www.polymer.org

2. CUMIRP basics The Center for UMass and Industry Research on Polymers ... • 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 and • education meet with Industrial and Government partners in Polymer Science • and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

3. CUMIRP 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

4. CUMIRP 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

5. CUMIRP’s Structure 1994 to present CUMIRP has 4 basic programs for interactions... • 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)

6. CUMIRP Part I CUMIRP Part I is a collaborative consortium program... • 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

7. CUMIRP Part I ‘Clusters’ FY 2005 ClusterTopicLeaders 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

8. CUMIRP Parts II, III and IV CUMIRP Part II is 1-on-1 Sponsored Research... • 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... • Unrestricted grants allow for more creative / exploratory research; • promotes Advancement of Science in Professor’s area of interest; Lower IC rate CUMIRP Part IV is for short duration, scoping projects... • 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.

9. Benefits Industrial Interactions through CUMIRP provide broad benefits... • 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

10. Benefits Both Industry and the University benefit from the relationship... • 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

11. CUMIRP management and operations CUMIRP management structure • 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 Customers and Services Customers: 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 Committees Financial Management In-House Consulting Alumni (incl. billing/receipts) (Univ, Ctrs., Fac, Stud.) Feedback / Direction Contract negotiations Special Arrangements Continuous Contact Agreement monitoring ‘One-Stop’ Point of Contact!!!

12. CUMIRP – Future Challenges and Issues • University / Industrial Research is changing …. again • Industrial issues: • Out-sourcing R&D, often looking for ‘ready-to-use’ technology • University mission vs. Industrial needs (focus and timing) • Small and Mid-sized companies and VC’s • Stock market dictates industrial R&D expenditures • Philanthropy is all but gone • Continuity – 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 responsive • Continually assess strengths and directions: Identify positive collaborations • and … Do well what we do well