The URC works with partners from member universities, the business and nonprofit communities, and government. These strategic partnerships leverage unique assets, resources, and expertise to generate ideas, amplify programs, encourage innovative research to address current challenges and promote greater positive impact.
URC institutions conduct 94 percent of the academic life science research and development in Michigan. In 2018 and 2019, URC universities graduated more medical professionals than any other university research cluster in the nation. And two out of every five doctors in Michigan graduated from a URC university. Read more to learn about strategic medical and healthcare partnerships.
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URC institutions are competitive with each other in a number of areas (not least of which includes sports). As partners, however, these institutions are fiercely competitive with the nation’s top university clusters in key industries, like mobility.
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The URC grew it’s economic impact in Michigan by more than 50% since FY 2006. Contributing $19.3 billion to the state economy in FY 2019, the URC is one of the nation’s top research clusters and the engine for innovation in Michigan and the Great Lakes region, increasing economic prosperity and connecting Michigan to the world. Each of the partners works closely with economic development partners at the regional, state and national levels and led to the establishment of major economic development organizations designed to attract new industries and jobs to their regions.
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From infrastructure improvement to on-the-ground COVID-19 testing, URC institutions have a big impact in Michigan and beyond. Read more about past, present and future partnerships designed to maximize effectiveness and access to Michiganders from Copper Harbor to Hillsdale.
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The URC brings together education, business and community partners to increase access to higher education, increase graduation rates, get hired after graduation and share resources. Read on for examples of how the URC is working to help open pathways to higher education.
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In Michigan and beyond, there is no shortage of environmental health challenges that impact residents, like PFAS, lead exposure, water and air quality, and industrial pollution. Environmental exposures compromise the health, development and quality of life of many Michiganders, and URC institutions work together with statewide partners to learn how to mitigate them.
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Between 2013 and 2017, URC schools invested $250 million in 1,149 K-12 education research, outreach and service projects. Producing highly qualified teachers to meet Michigan’s growing teacher shortage is just one of the ways the URC is creating and implementing solutions to Michigan’s education challenges. The university alliance also is creating the programs and support students need to succeed.
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The Michigan Space Grant Consortium involves members from the URC institutions as well as regional universities like Saginaw Valley State University. The consortium fosters awareness of, education in, and research on space-related science and technology in Michigan. Its mission is to create, develop, and promote programs that support its vision and reflect NASA strategic interests, and encourage cooperation between academia, industry, state and local government in space-related science and technology.
NASA initiated the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, also known as Space Grant, in 1989. Space Grant is a national network of colleges and universities. These institutions are working to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research and public outreach efforts.
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Michigan’s URC is a proud partner with University Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP), a unique forum for representatives from universities and industry to find better ways to partner.
UIDP tackles strategic and tactical challenges impacting the environment for research collaboration. A solutions-oriented organization where members identify issues impacting university-industry (U-I) relations and opportunities to develop new approaches to working together, the partnership between URC and UIDP has developed throughout the years continues to grow. Working collaboratively on sharing resources and economic development, the partnership positively impacts Michigan schools and universities.
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The URC and its member institutions have long been a strategic partner of MichBio, Michigan’s biosciences industry trade association, representing more than 600 bioscience companies in the state. Together, URC and MichBio drive innovation in the state and the Great Lakes region by working to increase economic prosperity and connecting Michigan to resources in the world.
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