The Nonprofit Funder - Research Institution Partnership Workshop, held on May 16, 2018 at the Keck Center of the National Academies in Washington, DC, convened leaders from research universities, nonprofit foundations, and research administration to discuss and strengthen collaborative efforts between nonprofit funders and research institutions. The agenda included welcoming remarks by representatives from the National Academies, Council on Governmental Relations, and Health Research Alliance, followed by discussions on the history and current state of these partnerships, ongoing working groups, and upcoming areas of focus.
Key components of the workshop involved presenting pre-meeting survey results to identify priorities and challenges in partnership efforts, engaging participants in breakout sessions on topics such as research operating costs, intellectual property and technology transfer, and streamlining administrative processes. A central highlight was the exploration of the University Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP) as a model for sustainable collaboration, with discussion of its history, challenges, and lessons learned. The workshop concluded with breakout session reports, a discussion of next steps, and consideration of future convenings, with an emphasis on actionable strategies to enhance ongoing nonprofit-research institution partnerships and improve operational efficiencies, regulatory compliance, and mutual understanding of partnership principles.
