Organizations join UIDP to connect with leaders across the global research and innovation ecosystem and build stronger, more impactful partnerships.
Our membership comprises top-tier innovation companies and world-class research universities: organizations committed to active participation in pursuit of excellence in University-Industry collaboration and partnership.
UIDP’s activities and resources help members strengthen existing research partnerships, build new networks and opportunities for collaboration, and overcome barriers to successful joint research.
UIDP is a global membership organization for research universities, research institutions, and innovation-focused companies committed to improving university–industry collaboration. Membership connects employees across your organization with experienced peers, practical resources, member-led projects, professional development, and opportunities to form stronger partnerships.
UIDP creates space for leaders across the global research and innovation ecosystem to connect—formally and informally—in ways that may not otherwise be possible. Because UIDP is intentionally collaborative and highly participatory, active members develop meaningful professional relationships while working together on issues affecting research partnerships.
What is UIDP membership?
UIDP membership is institutional, not individual. Membership belongs to the organization rather than to one person.
Any employee of a member organization may register as a UIDP member representative and participate according to their responsibilities and interests. Representatives can access UIDP resources, attend events, contribute to projects, participate in professional learning, connect with peers, and share relevant opportunities with the UIDP community.
This organization-wide model allows UIDP to bring together people from a broad cross-section of:
- University and company functions
- Research and innovation roles
- Industry sectors
- Organizations and academic institutions
- Levels of experience and responsibility
These perspectives help UIDP members develop more balanced, practical solutions that benefit both universities and industry.
Who can join UIDP?
UIDP membership is by invitation and available to:
- Research universities and other eligible research institutions
- Companies actively engaged in research, innovation, or university partnerships
- Research organizations engaged in multi-sector collaboration, such as national laboratories, regional innovation organizations, and other research performers.
UIDP membership is intended for organizations that participate directly in university–industry research and partnership activity.
Service providers are not eligible for general membership but may qualify to participate as Community Partners. These organizations publicly align with our mission and values, invest in UIDP, and actively engage with our membership. Learn more about CannonDesign, Collaborative Real Estate, Huron Consulting Group, and The University Financing Foundation, Inc., our Community Partners.
UIDP Member Sponsors
UIDP’s Member Sponsors go above and beyond to help us expand our services to meet member needs. Members tell us they get more ROI the more deeply they engage with us. Learn more about Enhanced Membership.
View Our Member ListWhat Are the Benefits of UIDP Membership?
As a UIDP member, you gain practical solutions to shared partnership challenges, exclusive resources and training, collaborative events, and access to an experienced global network of university–industry professionals. Members can also promote relevant opportunities, build valuable relationships, identify potential partners, and receive personalized support from UIDP’s expert team.
Becoming a member
Organizations interested in membership are encouraged to consider the following:
- Are we willing to share our experiences in U-I collaboration and partnership, so others can learn from them?
- Can our organization contribute constructive input to UIDP discussions?
- Are we willing to be active participants in UIDP Projects and activities?
We invite organizations committed to action to contact us at info@uidp.net to discuss membership.
Learn more about the Membership ProcessHow to get the most from membership
The value each organization receives depends on its goals and level of engagement. Members get more from UIDP when representatives across the organization participate.
Five effective ways to maximize membership are:
- Participate in projects. Work with peers to address shared challenges and develop practical solutions.
- Use UIDP resources. Apply guides, tools, recordings, and training materials to your day-to-day work.
- Attend events and learning programs. Build knowledge and relationships through conferences, workshops, webinars, and regional activities.
- Engage the network. Use myUIDP, the member directory, events, and UIDP introductions to exchange perspectives and find expertise.
- Share your opportunities. Ask UIDP to help promote relevant RFPs, initiatives, jobs, events, webinars, and collaborative opportunities.
In short: Share your experiences. Collaborate with your peers. Solve issues together.
What Our Members Say
Our members identify the major benefits of UIDP membership as:
- Sharing best practices and engaging in dialogue with counterparts in industry and academia
- Problem-solving through participation in projects and working group meetings
- Networking with representatives from world-class research universities and top-tier innovation companies
- Sharing knowledge and experience
- Understanding different perspectives
- Accessing and utilizing UIDP products
While our focus is on developing practical solutions to address obstacles to collaboration, we also offer UIDP members several ways to identify and connect with potential new partners along the entire partnership continuum (more on this here).
“UIDP is by far the most valuable corporate-university forum or partnership Caltech belongs to, providing a great venue for networking, meeting corporate and university contacts and establishing long-lasting and fruitful relationships.”
“Memberships affords me the opportunity to connect with federal agency and corporate R&D leaders; we all have common interests in adopting best practices and developing meaningful partnerships.”
“We belong to the UIDP because of UIDP members’ depth and breadth of knowledge about U-I relations, and their willingness to share it within the UIDP community.”
“My institution has been able to close deals with our industrial collaborators at a much faster pace through deployment of specific strategies learned from UIDP training and workshop opportunities.”
“Pfizer belongs to the UIDP because membership provides us an opportunity to get greater insight into the concerns of universities, and to share our perspective in regard to university partnerships.”
“Membership in the UIDP makes my job easier by providing me access to resources that help me solve difficult problems at my desk, day in and day out.”
“The UIDP and its members create a better awareness on both ‘sides’ as to what can work, what can’t and why. This insight directly impacts the work I do.”
“UIDP membership allows me to keep in touch with those people that I work with most through the meetings and the general organizational communications. It is always easier to negotiate with someone you know.”
“I was thrilled to meet so many U-I experts from top companies. … UIDP takes University Industry Partnering to the next level!”
Membership Dues
Members can pay their annual membership dues by check, credit card and wire transfer. Dues payment information is sent directly to each member organizations’ Primary Representative and designated invoice contact in mid May for the fiscal year July 1-June 30.
If you would like to pay membership dues immediately, contact info@uidp.net to request a copy of your organizations’ invoice and direct access to pay securely.
Learn More About Paying Member DuesReady to explore UIDP membership?
Tell us about your organization and its university–industry partnership goals. The UIDP team can help determine eligibility, answer questions, and explain the membership process.
Contact UIDP about membership. Email us at: info@uidp.net
Explore the Membership Process