Long-Term Partnerships: Lessons Learned from the Researcher Guidebook
Aug. 20, 2024
—Long-term cross-sector partnerships can have far-reaching impacts beyond research, bringing robust benefits to all parties through the creation of impactful talent pipelines, development of new and relevant curricula, identification of future research projects, and more. Understanding the methods and tactics to enable enduring partnerships—moving from transactional to strategic—can empower partner organizations to enhance their relationships, producing a range of benefits.
Types of collaborations
UIDP’s Partnership Continuum publication builds on the work of HP and member representative Wayne Johnson to illustrate the levels of engagement within U-I collaborations. The continuum starts at level one—a mutual awareness of each other that may include tactical interactions to meet either party’s needs in a transactional, this-for-that manner. At the most holistic and involved level of engagement, the partners see each other as equal and valued contributors with a shared desire to progress their relationship as strategic allies. (UIDP members can access examples and details in the Partnership Continuum.)
These deep relationships are rare, require thoughtful attention, and take long periods of time to develop, but they can provide advantages to all parties once created. For example, universities benefit by bringing real-world challenges to their work of educating students while industry gains access to a pipeline of well-developed talent. Strategic relationships between universities and industry can lead to more competitive proposals for federal funding or sustained investment in research projects. Deep partnerships may involve leveraging specialized resources and expertise, as well as gaining access to fresh perspectives and approaches to address research challenges. For more on the benefits of collaborations beyond sponsored research, see this previous 3-Minute Read.
Pathways to partnerships
Creating a sustainable long-term partnership requires building trust between individuals, but it isn’t easy. Some of the biggest hurdles occur before the collaboration even starts; finding the right partner and ensuring that interests align are building blocks for sustained success. When evaluating a potential partner, it’s vital to consider compatibility, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Open, frank communication is critical to reduce the chances of misunderstandings and to enable quick course corrections when roadblocks inevitably occur.
Developing a comprehensive plan for the partnership sets the relationship up to succeed and allows room for it to grow. It must be grounded in a clear understanding of the partnership’s purpose, which makes it easier to define goals and ensure the collaboration stays on track. Is the partnership working to solve a grand challenge or address a shared weakness? Is the purpose distinct enough to maintain a working relationship beyond a single project? Defining the finish line at the start will help focus efforts and define the collaboration’s structure. The statement of work should include the roles and responsibilities of each party as well as the use of any foreground or background intellectual property.
Establishing the necessary administrative structure and processes to help organize the collaboration can help prevent missteps. It’s also vital to ensure that each party delivers on their end of the agreement in a timely manner and is respectful to their counterpart. Building trust during the initial stages of the collaboration profoundly impacts the likelihood of success; a track record of delivering strong, on-time results will strengthen trust between parties. Overall, with the right partner, a proper plan, and trust, it’s likely that the partnership will deliver impactful outcomes and long-term satisfaction for those working within the collaboration and their respective organizations. For more on establishing holistic, long-lasting partnerships, see UIDP’s Guiding Principles, which outlines three main considerations for cross-sector collaborations.
Why it matters
Transactional university-industry collaborations can achieve their intended results, but partnerships that persist across a continuum of mutually beneficial collaboration activities are typically more valuable. Choosing the right partner, laying the groundwork for collaboration, communicating transparently, and ensuring everyone plays their part are essential elements of long-term, strategic partnerships.
We want to hear from you. What strategies do you or your organization employ to build long-term partnerships? Let us know on our LinkedIn profile.
The 3-Minute Read is a UIDP member information piece and does not represent the opinions of our members or representatives. We welcome your comments on our LinkedIn profile.
This 3-Minute Read is part of a series based on the Researcher Guidebook, a public resource published by UIDP. Our members have access to a sequential learning path and Quick Guide developed to help researchers tap into our collective knowledge and clearly understand their pivotal role in cross-sector research partnerships.