COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Dr. E. Ann Nalley Department of Physical Sciences Cameron University annn@cameron.edu

Objectives of Collaborations and Partnerships To bring groups together under a central theme. The multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary groups may be different academic units within a college, different colleges within an institution or different institutions, industries or community based organizations . To establish a cohesive group that allows individual units or individual partners to contribute to the principal theme

What is collaboration? Col·lab·o·rate to work jointly especially with one or a limited number of others in a project involving composition or research to be jointly accredited Wagner identifies possible drivers for collaboration as: sharing ideas, cooperating around equipment, cooperating around resources, and exchanging data Source: Wagner, C. 2005, Scientometrics 62(1): 3-26.

Why Do We Choose To Collaborate A requirement of the Grant RFP It strengthens a proposal A partner may add expertise not available to the PI May provide you with research and funding opportunities not available through other channels Helps you to advance professionally Valuable in resources, creativity, results May accomplish more together than any partner could alone Win Win: for partners and for funding agency (some funding agencies require it

Possible Collaborative Partners Colleagues – Same Area or Interdisciplinary College/University Departments Local Education Agencies State Department of Education, State Agencies, i.e. OCAST Business and Industry Faith-Based Organizations, i.e. Churches Community Based Organizations, i.e. Chamber of Commerce, Scouts Other Colleges/Universities

Questions to Ask When Building Collaborations What is the target area we will serve for a proposal? Is a partner needed to strengthen the proposal? Seek out collaborate partners Make sure you include representatives from all boundaries of the target area.

What is the makeup of the target area? Effective collaborations engage institutional, civic, and natural leaders who reflect the demographic diversity of the target area. Make sure you select people who can organize people from their identity group and not just be the “gatekeepers”. Ask questions and find the names of real leaders in the target area.

Partnerships An association or a combination, as of persons, organizations or institutions, for the purpose of engaging in a joint venture. Resource: National College Access Network (NCAN) www.CollegeAccess.org

ISSUES TO CONSIDER IN FORMING PARTNERSHIPS What are the benefits to the University or Universities? What are the benefits to the industry? Does your institution support the concept of collaborations or partnerships? MOUs are a part of the partnership Intellectual Property agreements Many Funding agencies support the concept of collaborations and many recommend or require them. Much of the research you do may be proprietary

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS MAY BE Between units with the institution Between universities and four year or community colleges Consortia Between universities in the state or outside the state

After You Choose to Form a Partnership, What Comes Next?

Task 1: Formulate Goals What is the issue? Why is a partnership the best way to address the issue? What are the relevant assets? What are the goals?

Task 2: Identify Perspective Members of the Partnership Compile contact information for prospective members. While prospective members may participate in professional organizations, there may not be an organization that speaks directly to their issues or concerns. Prospective members may lead to other prospective members.

Characteristics of the Team The leader may be self-selected, appointed or elected. The leader must be willing to listen, involve the partners and provide leadership in the administration of the collaboration or partnership. Each member of the collaboration or partnership must have an interest in the theme with documented expertise.

Task 3. Establish an organizational structure What is our mission? How often do we meet? Do we have committees? How will the partners share responsibility for organizing and leading the meetings? Who prepares and contributes to the agenda? How will partners handle logistical arrangements?

Task 4: Organize Events that Partners Want to Attend Maintain focus on the relevant issue. Emphasize research and data-informed practices. Reflect the diversity of the partnership. Provide remote locations with two-way video conferencing if available. Structure the meeting for networking.

Task 5: Evaluate Evaluation of key components provides feedback that enables refinement and redirection. Evaluation provides a process of continuous improvement. Evaluating the impact of the consortium helps build a case for sustaining partnership efforts.

Partnership Development Some general transferable principles: Partnerships lead to new projects and new grant proposals. Partnerships may develop faster because of successful history of partnerships with other entities. Partnerships take time. Public/private partnerships must have knowledgeable leaders, experienced participants, strong academicians, and strong decision makers involved all the way. Resist selecting partners by reaching out to people you already know or reaching out to everyone.

Partnership Development Some general transferable principles: Partnerships must have authority, i.e. president, dean, chair. Partnerships on paper only are not considered valid – show evidence, i.e. articles, projects. There will be more financial audits with partners than without. Corporations want to know why, how, and see creativity now. Will fund R&D, product development.

Issues to Consider Where does the funding reside? There is strength in diversity among academic units Funding agencies recommend or require it. Letters of support from administration More advance planning in preparing a proposal More coordination in executing the terms of the grant

Memorandum of Agreement State the mission of the partnership May be formal or informal Provide a strong communication plan for the partnership State roles and responsibilities of all partners Advisory Board membership Provide a summary statement of sustainability upon completion of the program

Partnership Development Some general transferable principles: Allow enough time to develop partnership. Begin making contacts prior to establishing a collaboration. Let them know what is in it for them. Develops an entrepreneurship attitude among business and industry. Building of future relationships

HOW TO ESTABLISH A RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP INITIATE A RESEARCH PROJECT WITH STUDENT RESEARCHERS APPLY FOR FUNDING THROUGH INTERNAL FUNDING APPLY FOR OUTSIDE FUNDING PUBLISH OR PRESENT YOUR RESEARCH RESULTS LOCALLY, REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY

OTHER ADVERTISE ON YOUR WEB PAGE START SLOW AND VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY WHICH LEAD TO LONG TERM ACTIVITIES GET THE BLESSING OF YOUR DEPARTMENT CHAIR AND DEAN

OCAST ESTABLISHED IN 1987 BY THE OKLAHOMA STATE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF NEW TECHNOLOGY RESULTING RESEARCH FOSTER THE MANUFACTURE AND MARKETING OF THESE INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

THE R&D INTERN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AN EQUAL MATCH OF THE OCAST FUNDS FROM NONSTATE APPROPRIATED FUNDS IS REQUIRED THE RESEARCH MUST BE PERFORMED IN AN APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORY A 2 OR 4-YEAR COLLEGE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA MUST BE THE FISCAL AGENT AN OKLAHOMA FIRM MUST BENEFIT

OKLAHOMA APPLIED RESEARCH SUPPORT R&D INTERN PARTNERSHIP

BE PROFESSIONAL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SERVICES REMEMBER YOU CAN’T SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM BE AVAILABLE WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARRIVES BE COGNIZANT OF LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND YOU WILL HAVE THEM REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN BOSS WHEN WORKING WITH INDUSTRY

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU WORK THROUGH YOUR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OR YOUR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

MY INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS Stim-Lab World-Wide Stimulation Plainsman Technology Halliburton Energy Services Temple Inland Southwest NanoTechnology Cosmetic Specialty Labs, INC. Xeta Comp

QUESTIONS? AND DISCUSSION