This project brings together four regional public universities with a shared commitment to advancing innovation and economic development in their respective communities. While each institution has already established research centers and innovation hubs, these efforts have often operated in silos, disconnected from both local industry needs and academic programs. By collaborating, the universities aim to build stronger, more integrated relationships with regional businesses, provide students and faculty with meaningful opportunities to engage in real-world problem-solving, and support the growth of emerging technologies and startups.
The overarching objective is to create robust pathways for students and communities to thrive in the evolving technology-driven economy. The collaborative initiative seeks to contribute to the enhancement of regional innovation ecosystems by developing shared strategies for external engagement and industry collaboration. Recognizing the unique role regional universities play in understanding and responding to local priorities, the project will work to dismantle institutional silos, map innovation assets within each region, and implement formalized practices for building sustainable external partnerships. Faculty, students, industry leaders, and regional businesses will be actively involved in fostering new collaborations, thus creating vibrant networks that align academic expertise with industry demand.
By modeling "centers of gravity" for innovation in four distinct regions, the cohort will generate scalable insights and share best practices with peer institutions nationwide. ComPEET aims to strengthen the translational research and development capacity, support tech startups and industry partners, and contribute to stronger and resilient regional economies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Colorado State University Pueblo is leveraging its EPIIC ComPEET award to break down silos between its research centers, innovation hubs, and academic programs, building tighter connections with industry across southern Colorado. CSU Pueblo is mapping regional innovation assets, formalizing partnership practices, and creating new experiential opportunities for faculty and students to engage with regional businesses and emerging-technology startups.
Regents of the University of Michigan - Flint
The University of Michigan-Flint is using its EPIIC ComPEET award to better integrate its research, innovation, and workforce activities with the needs of regional industry in mid-Michigan. UM-Flint is mapping its innovation assets, formalizing practices for industry engagement, and creating new opportunities for faculty and students to participate in translational research that supports tech startups and the broader Flint-area economy.
Research Foundation of the State University of New York
The Research Foundation of the State University of New York administers this EPIIC ComPEET award on behalf of SUNY New Paltz. The Hudson Valley campus is using the funding to break down silos between research, innovation, and academic programs, mapping regional innovation assets and formalizing industry partnership practices that grow translational research and support tech startups across the mid-Hudson region.
Shawnee State University
Shawnee State University is using its EPIIC ComPEET award to integrate its research and innovation activities with the needs of industry in southern Ohio and the Appalachian region. Shawnee State is mapping regional innovation assets, formalizing partnership practices, and creating new opportunities for faculty and students to collaborate with regional businesses on translational research and tech entrepreneurship.
