UW–Madison’s commitment to advancing industry and community engagement
Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) Timeline and Rationale
Fall 2020
Assemble lead and working groups and develop IEP approach and plan
Spring 2021
Embark on a comprehensive self-assessment of cross-campus activities, resources and partnerships
Fall 2021
Conduct further research, gather evidence and assess potential impact on identified areas of opportunity
Fall 2022
APLU announces IEP University designations in November 2022
Summer 2022
Introduce industry engagement improvement plan; submit APLU IEP designation application
Why Champion Innovation and Economic Prosperity?
Demand
External and internal forces are driving us to deepen and strengthen industry engagement across campus. COVID has only accelerated the needs of industry and academia to expand mutually beneficial collaboration. From the need for applied research to executive education, to projects and programs which benefit our students, faculty and the companies and communities in our ecosystem, embracing industry collaboration is increasingly necessary.
Large federal and private/public investment opportunities are also evolving and it is increasing important to recognize the growing need for a network of diverse and regional partners.
Our goal is to recognize, adapt and increase opportunities to serve our stakeholders in collaboration with industry. Prioritizing innovation and economic prosperity is critical for UW–Madison’s competitive future, given our economic impact and the many roles we play in our local community, state, region and beyond.
Opportunity
UW–Madison’s place in the heart of the Midwest represents an emerging opportunity to fulfill our research, teaching and community missions:
- A recent report by the Brookings Institution names Madison as the city most primed to be an innovation center. (Read more: “UW–Madison joins national leaders to discuss plan to promote high-tech growth.”)
- The proposed United States Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260/H.R. 4521) aims to sustain the United States’ competitive advantage and would significantly increase federal investment in research.
- This proposal developed out of the 2020 Endless Frontier Act, co-authored by Representative Mike Gallagher (WI-8), which proposed bold investments in science, technology and innovation centers, including Madison. (Watch a discussion with the bill’s authors hosted by WARF.)
- New opportunities also exist thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and other elements of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better Agenda, as well as the US Economic Development Administration’s competitive challenges.
Within our existing economic impact programs, we are looking to create synergies and extend our strengths while reducing barriers and inefficiencies to accelerate the creation and enable the support of stakeholder growth.
How do we Achieve Innovation and Economic Prosperity?
Complete an Institutional Self-Assessment
We have engaged internal and external stakeholders to identify UW–Madison’s strengths and areas of growth, with a focus on industry engagement.
Internal stakeholders included faculty, staff, leadership, and students; those external to UW–Madison included businesses, local and state government, members of local communities, and others.
Develop and Implement a Cross-Campus Improvement Plan
Once we better know UW–Madison’s impact on industry partners and our broader economic impact we will begin work on a campus-wide improvement plan. This plan will be developed with guidance from UW–Madison’s leadership and a variety of inclusive working groups. We will then implement our improvement plan that will demonstrate an institution-wide commitment and strategy for industry engagement, growth and opportunity.