Federal Laboratory Consortium and Association of University Research Parks Enter Strategic Partnership

Released: August 15, 2024

(Washington, D.C. - August 15, 2024) The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is excited to announce it has entered a strategic partnership with the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), the leading nonprofit representing research parks, innovation districts and regional technology clusters.

The primary goal of this partnership is to enhance the relationship between federal laboratories and industry, particularly small businesses, to accelerate the transfer of research to the marketplace for the greater good of the public, especially in underserved markets.

"We're excited to partner with AURP, which is a leader in nurturing collaboration among government, industry and academia and building vibrant innovation ecosystems," said Paul Zielinski, FLC executive director. "This collaboration will strengthen the bridge between federal labs and small businesses to bring more crucial technologies to market and serve all communities across our country."

The FLC supports a network of over 300 federal laboratories and research centers in transferring their innovations to businesses, creating new opportunities for economic growth and public benefit. The AURP is dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs by fostering innovation within specialized, place-based environments. Through these efforts, AURP provides resources, assistance and a collaborative network for these ecosystems and businesses to thrive. The FLC and AURP aim to leverage their respective expertise and resources to foster innovation, create job opportunities and drive economic growth.

"Leveraging AURP's extensive network of research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs, I am thrilled to announce our partnership with the FLC to enhance our collective ability to drive economic growth across the U.S.," said Vickie Palmer, AURP CEO. "Together, the FLC and AURP will work to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in our Communities of Innovation, enabling them to quickly and effectively transition technologies from lab to market, creating new jobs and transforming communities."

Under a memorandum of understanding signed on August 5, 2024, the FLC and AURP will join forces on a range of initiatives, including joint meetings, sponsored events, information exchanges and special projects. The FLC is a national ecosystem partner with AURP on the Rural Autonomous Innovation Network (RAIN) SBA Growth Accelerator Challenge.

Learn more about FLC's organizational partners here. Groups interested in working with federal laboratories should contact the FLC to learn more at [email protected]

About the FLC

The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is a nationwide network of federal laboratories that promotes and facilitates the transfer of federal laboratory research and technologies to the marketplace. With over 300 member laboratories, the FLC plays a vital role in driving innovation and economic growth. To learn more, visit  www.federallabs.org.

About AURP

AURP, a nonprofit international organization with offices in the Washington, DC, area at the University of Maryland Discovery District and Tucson, Ariz., at the University of Arizona Tech Park, focuses on creating communities of innovation and education for research parks both operating and planned, plus innovation districts, incubators, accelerators and the businesses that support the research park industry. AURP and its global membership promote research, institute-industry relations and innovation districts to foster innovation and to facilitate the transfer of technology from such institutions to the private sector. To learn more, visit www.aurp.net.

Media contacts:

Andrea Nelson FLC Acting Director of Marketing [email protected]

Ken Berlack Communications/Public Relations AURP [email protected]

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