Innovation Research Interchange (formerly the Industrial Research Institute) is an inclusive membership organization with nearly one hundred global members in private-sector companies and federally funded laboratories. Founded in 1938, we lead and advance the field of innovation management by creating contemporary practices. Some of the world’s most widely adopted models – such as “open innovation,” “front end of innovation,” and “stage-gate” – were born from the work of our members. We value strength in cooperation and partner with other organizations at the forefront of developments in innovation management, creating a hub for all to convene and contribute in an experimental, noncompetitive, and noncommercial environment. The IRI is a division of the National Association of Manufacturers.
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Fourteen companies comprised the original membership of IRI when it was formed in 1938, under the auspices of the National Research Council (NRC). Two of these companies retain membership today: Colgate-Palmolive Company and UOP, LLC, formerly known as Universal Oil Products (acquired by Honeywell). Four of the first five presidents were from the six charter-member-company category.
Maurice Holland, then Director of the NRC Division of Engineering, was largely responsible for bringing together about 50 representatives from industry, government, and universities to an initial organizational meeting in February 1938 in New York City. IRI was an integral part of the National Research Council until 1945, when it separated to become a non-profit membership corporation in the State of New York. However, association with the Council continues unbroken.
At the founding meeting, several speakers stressed the need for an association of research directors—something different from the usual technical society—and that the benefits to be derived would depend on the extent of cooperation by its members. The greatest advantage, they said, would come through personal contacts with members of the group—still a major characteristic of IRI.
In more recent years, the activities of IRI have broadened considerably. IRI now offers services to the full range of innovation professionals in the United States and abroad.
In 2013, IRI celebrated its 75th anniversary with a series of events to recognize the impact of its members’ contributions to R&D and innovation in the past and look toward the future of the industry. Here you’ll find a detailed timeline featuring the history of IRI, recaps of its milestone events, and first-hand testimonials from IRI members.
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Reuters Most Innovative Research Institutions 2019
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- NATURE INDEX
- 29 April 2020
Leading research institutions 2020
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A researcher at the University of California, San Diego, prepares to launch a 3D-printed rocket. Credit: Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing has topped the Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables list as the most prolific producer of research published in the 82 selected journals tracked by the Index (see Graphic).
CAS’s Share of 1805.22 in 2019 was almost twice that of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which came in second. Research institutions from China, the United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom feature among the ten most prolific institutions in the Index. See the 2020 Annual Tables Top 100 research institutions for 2019 .
(Share, formerly referred to in the Nature Index as Fractional Count (FC), is a measure of an entity’s contribution to articles in the 82 journals tracked by the index, calculated according to the proportion of its affiliated authors on an article relative to all authors on the article. When comparing data over time, Share values are adjusted to 2019 levels to account for the small annual variation in the total number of articles in the Nature Index journals. The Nature Index is one indicator of institutional research performance. See Editor’s note below.)
Source: Nature Index
Here is a selection of institutions from the top 25 of the Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables .
University of Science and Technology of China
Share: 455.82; Count: 1,231; Change in adjusted Share (2018–19): +25.6%; Place: 8th
Established by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 1958 in Beijing (then known as Peking), the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) moved to its current location in Hefei, the capital of the eastern Chinese province of Anhui, in 1970.
Today, it employs about 16,000 students, including 1,900 PhD students, as well as 1,812 faculty members, 547 of which are professors.
Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables
The institution’s strongest subjects in the Nature Index are chemistry and physical sciences. USTC is a global collaborator, counting the Max Planck Society in Munich, Germany, the University of Oxford, UK, and Stanford University in California among its close partners.
In 2019, USTC researchers were part of an international team that discovered a stellar black hole with a mass 70 times greater than that of the Sun. The findings, published in Nature , were mentioned in more than 300 tweets and nearly 200 news stories, according to Altmetric.
University of Michigan, United States
Share: 343.45; Count: 939; Change in adjusted Share (2018–19): − 3.3%; Place: 19th
Placed first among public universities in the United States for research volume, according to the US National Science Foundation, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor encompasses 260,000 square metres of lab space, which is accessed by students and staff in 227 centres and institutes across its campus.
With US$1.62 billion in research expenditure and more than 500 new invention reports in the fiscal year 2019, the University of Michigan is focused on innovative areas in research, including data science, precision health and bioscience. Its Global CO 2 Initiative, launched in 2018, aims to identify and pursue commercially sustainable approaches that reduce atmospheric CO 2 levels by 4 gigatons per year.
A 2019 study published in Science on honesty and selfishness across cultures, led by behavioural economist Alain Cohn, was covered by almost 300 online news outlets and reached more than 22 million people on Twitter, according to Altmetric. The study, which tested people’s willingness to return a dummy lost wallet, revealed a ‘high level’ of civic honesty.
University of California, San Diego, United States
Share: 340.85; Count: 1,048; Change in adjusted Share (2018–19): − 1.2%; Place: 20th
With US$1.35 billion in annual research funding, the University of California, San Diego, is a force in natural-sciences research, particularly in oceanography and the life sciences.
Its health-sciences group, which includes the School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, brought in US$761 million in research funding in the fiscal year 2019, and Scripps Oceanography, one of the world’s oldest and largest centres for research in ocean and Earth science, won $180 million in funding.
The university also has a focus on innovation, with more than 2,500 active inventions, 1,870 US and foreign patents, and 31 start-ups launched in 2018 by faculty members, students and staff. One such start-up was CavoGene LifeSciences, which aims to develop gene therapies to treat neurodegenerative disease.
Zhejiang University, China
Share: 329.82; Count: 815; Change in adjusted Share (2018–19): +10.5%; Place: 23rd
Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, is part of the Chinese government’s Double First Class Plan, which aims to develop several world-class universities by 2050. It employs 3,741 full-time faculty members and partners with nearly 200 institutions around the world.
Zhejiang’s total research funding reached 4.56 billion yuan (US$644 million) in 2018, with 926 projects supported by the Chinese National Natural Science Fund and 1,838 Chinese invention patents issued. The university is home to materials scientist Dawei Di, who was listed as a top innovator under 35 by MIT Technology Review in 2019 for his work on organic light-emitting diodes and perovskite light-emitting diodes.
In 2019, Zheijiang researchers published a Science paper with an international team that proposed a method for boosting plant growth while reducing water use, which could contribute to more sustainable agriculture practices.
Northwestern University, United States
Share: 317.12; Count: 762; Change in adjusted Share (2018–19): − 7.6%; Place: 25th
Founded as a private research university in 1851, Northwestern University, based in Evanston, Illinois, now also has campuses in Chicago and Doha, Qatar, and employs 3,300 full-time research staff. It has an annual budget of US$2 billion and attracts more than US$700 million for sponsored research each year.
The fastest-rising institution in the United States in high-quality life-sciences research output, Northwestern University was also 14th in the world in chemistry in the Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables .
Its star researchers include mathematician Emmy Murphy, one of six recipients of the 2020 New Horizons Prize for her work in the field of topology — the study of geometric properties and relationships — and physicist John Joseph Carrasco and neuroscientist Andrew Miri, who in February were awarded prestigious Sloan Research Fellowships.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-01230-x
This article is part of Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables , an editorially independent supplement. Advertisers have no influence over the content.
Editor’s note: The Nature Index is one indicator of institutional research performance. The metrics of Count and Share used to order Nature Index listings are based on an institution’s or country’s publication output in 82 natural-science journals, selected on reputation by an independent panel of leading scientists in their fields. Nature Index recognizes that many other factors must be taken into account when considering research quality and institutional performance; Nature Index metrics alone should not be used to assess institutions or individuals. Nature Index data and methods are transparent and available under a creative commons licence at natureindex.com .
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UIDP is a solutions-oriented organization where our members identify issues impacting university-industry (U-I) relations and opportunities to develop new approaches to working together. UIDP has been helping improve the quality of U-I partnerships since 2006.
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From idea to innovation: the power of applied research institutes.
Function and focus
They are often created as a nonprofit entity operating within or in close collaboration with the university, leveraging resources, expertise, and facilities. Institutes can collaborate directly with industry and government clients on projects of interest and deliver innovative results. The research agenda can vary widely, from engineering to health carenational security and defense. An interdisciplinary approach to applied research is common; these institutes leverage expertise across fields of study to address complex challenges in bringing ideas to market.
Applied research institutes serve as valuable entry points for cross-sector partnerships. They provide the infrastructure, resources, and project management necessary to support large-scale collaboration. Many applied research institutes employ scientists, engineers, and technologists to conduct research on behalf of their clients. With their collaborative approach, applied research institutes can be a connection point for multiple clients, bringing together university researchers, industry leaders, and government agencies to address challenges and accelerate technologies.
National strategic priorities are a focus for many applied research centers with their ability to bridge the gap between fundamental research and application. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft institutes, originating in Germany, are a model for this approach, with 76 dedicated institutes and research units operating around the globe. Similarly, the UK’s Catapult Network centers are dedicated to accelerating scientific advancements into market-ready products and services. By collaborating closely with government, business, and other partners, applied research institutes help address national research priorities by supporting research and innovation to solve challenges, strengthen the economy, and more.
Institute examples
Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI) is deeply integrated with Purdue University’s engineering and science disciplines. It includes four divisions, each with its own specific research foci and objectives: national security and defense, infrastructure research and innovative solutions, global development and innovation, and technology acceleration. Along with research, other functions in PARI’s divisions include DIAL Ventures, a lab that supports startup creation while bringing digital innovation to food and agriculture, and the Purdue Institute for National Security, which partners with several federal agencies for research, testing, and workforce development.
Another example is the Applied Research Institute (ARI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, housed in the Grainger College of Engineering. ARI is divided into several research cores, including algorithm and software development, contextual innovation and practice, and materials development. ARI intentionally designed its model to integrate the university into its applied research activities. Clients are provided with a research partner to assist with their R&D needs, and faculty and students can participate in research that addresses real-world challenges. ARI is positioned as part of the research ecosystem in the Urbana-Champaign region, providing clients connections to the campus and other industry and federal clients and acting as an engine to develop, design, and commercialize technologies.
Why it matters
With a growing emphasis on translation and application in the global research landscape, applied research institutes are a channel to bring technologies to market. As a platform for industry and government clients to leverage university expertise to advance their ideas and technologies, applied research institutes nurture cross-sector relationships with the potential to create groundbreaking technologies, solve complex problems, and translate research outcomes into tangible technologies and applications.
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Arc Innovation Investigators & Ignite Awards
The arc institute seeks to foster collaborations built on scientific curiosity, a deep commitment to truth, and interdisciplinary science. arc innovation investigators & ignite awardees are researchers at stanford university, uc berkeley, and ucsf who are awarded unrestricted funding to pursue visionary ideas in curiosity-driven science and technology development., sign up to be notified when we launch our next call for applications., arc innovation investigator awards.
Innovation Investigators are awarded $1 million in unrestricted funding from Arc over the five-year term of their appointment. During this time, Innovation investigators benefit from access to Arc resources and facilities, including the opportunity to collaborate with our Technology Centers and to use Arc scientific core facilities, while maintaining their lab and position at their university.
Meet Our Innovation Investigators Arc is delighted to welcome our inaugural cohort of Innovation Investigators.
Technology Development
K.k. lee professor of chemical engineering and by courtesy, of chemistry and materials science and engineering at stanford university.
Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at University of California, Berkeley
Chemical Biology
Nathanael gray, krishnan-shah family professor of chemical and systems biology at stanford university.
William Greenleaf
Professor of genetics, and by courtesy, of applied physics at stanford university.
Computational Science
Incoming assistant professor in the department of chemical engineering and data science at stanford university..
Human Genetics
Assistant professor of biochemistry and biophysics at university of california, san francisco; assistant investigator at gladstone institutes.
Neurobiology
Anna molofsky, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the university of california, san francisco.
Alanna Schepartz
T.z. and irmgard chu distinguished professor of chemistry and professor of mcb at university of california, berkeley.
Associate Professor of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco
Becoming an innovation investigator at arc, appointment.
Awardees act as intellectual bridges between the universities and the institute, while maintaining their labs, employment, and appointments at their home university (Stanford University, UCSF, or UC Berkeley).
Eligibility
We encourage innovative research proposals that may be challenging to support via traditional funding sources and are aligned with Arc’s mission of understanding and treating complex human diseases.
Scientific Focus Areas
Scientific focus areas may change for future calls for applications.
Indirect costs will be paid at the negotiated rate between Arc and the university. This will not impact the direct cost budget for Arc’s Innovation Investigators.
Lab members supervised by Arc Innovation Investigators may visit Arc and collaborate with Arc team members but will remain employees of their home university.
In addition, Innovation Investigators have access to flex office and lab space at Arc.
Arc Ignite Awards
The Arc Ignite Award program grants awardees a one-time $100,000 gift to kickstart exciting ideas that would be difficult to fund via traditional funding mechanisms. Our inaugural cohort of Arc Ignite Awardees include 11 faculty from Stanford, UC Berkeley and UCSF with research areas spanning chemical biology, computational biology, human genetics, immunology, neurobiology and technology development.
Meet Our Ignite Awardees
Katrin Andreasson
Professor of neurology at stanford university.
Faranak Fattahi
Assistant professor of cellular molecular pharmacology at university of california, san francisco.
Michael Fischbach
Professor of bioengineering at stanford university.
Martin Kampmann
Associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics at university of california, san francisco.
Maureen Lyles D’Ambrogio Professor of Medicine - Hematology at Stanford University
Alexander Marson
Professor of medicine at university of california, san francisco and director of gladstone-ucsf institute of genomic immunology.
Alex Pollen
Associate professor of neurology at university of california, san francisco.
Xiaojie Qiu
Incoming assistant professor of genetics and, by courtesy, of computer science at stanford university.
Julia Salzman
Associate professor of biomedical data science, of biochemistry and, by courtesy, of statistics and of biology at stanford university.
Robert Saxton
Assistant professor of molecular and cell biology and chemistry at university of california, berkeley.
Andrew C. Yang
Assistant professor of neurology and anatomy at university of california, san francisco.
Auster Center for Applied Innovation Research
What is the auster center for applied innovation research.
The Auster Center for Applied Innovation Research (AIR) is dedicated to advancing our understanding of how innovation, particularly technology innovation or innovations that are touched by technology, can be fostered, translated, and applied to do good in the world. The AIR Center at Tufts Gordon Institute supports and funds Tufts faculty and students to conduct research to explore novel ways to solve wicked problems and achieve impact through applied innovation. The work of the AIR Center at Tufts Gordon Institute will establish Tufts University’s thought leadership in Applied Innovation Research.
This cause is very dear to my heart, and I am both honored and humbled that this new center will play such a pivotal role in advancing applied innovation research at Tufts.
Chuck Auster, Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts
The air center at tufts gordon institute focuses on four objectives:.
- Initiating and executing applied innovation research with a focus on forward-looking research that influences how leaders and organizations might act in the future, rather than backward-looking research that solely focuses on analyzing what happened in the past.
- Launching a grant program to stimulate transdisciplinary applied innovation research, soliciting proposals from across Tufts University.
- Supporting undergraduate research opportunities, where undergraduates can receive grant money to join summer innovation research projects with faculty members.
- Building industry partnerships to provide both sources of innovation challenges as well as partners to co-create new methods for fostering and translating innovation to impact.
Careers at the AIR Center at Tufts Gordon Institute
Director & auster professor of the practice in applied innovation, tufts gordon institute, tufts university school of engineering.
Tufts University seeks an experienced innovator, strategic leader, and high impact doer to be the inaugural Director and Auster Professor of the Practice in Applied Innovation for the Auster Center for Applied Innovation Research (AIR). The new center will be dedicated to advancing our understanding of how innovation, particularly technology innovation or innovations that are touched by technology, can be fostered, translated, and applied to do good in the world. Solving today’s toughest challenges will require innovative transdisciplinary approaches. The Auster Center will be a hub for transdisciplinary applied innovation research catalyzing collaborations of multi-disciplinary teams from across the university. The work of the Center will establish Tufts University’s thought leadership in applied innovation research.
Applied innovation research led by the Auster Center will support deep investigations into new methodologies and approaches for stimulating, incubating, and fostering innovation in the world at large, not just within for-profit organizations, but also non-profits, governments, and non-government entities. Insights and guiding principles gained from the research will guide and accelerate the creation of transformative leaders and organizations, helping them to realize their purpose and maximize their impact through applied innovations.
The Center Director will bring deep experiences successfully driving innovations in large organizations, such as large corporations, as well as experiences leading applied research, from securing external research funding to disseminating research findings, e.g., in peer reviewed journals. As a Professor of the Practice, the Center Director will join Tufts Gordon Institute faculty with an immediate community of over 40 colleagues whose expertise span all phases of an organization’s growth, from early stage to scaling to optimizing to continuous renewal. The Professor of the Practice and Center Director will also join the School of Engineering faculty, a collegial and vibrant community of world-class researchers and educators. The Director will report to Kevin Oye, the Executive Director of Tufts Gordon Institute.
For further information about the Auster Center for Applied Innovation Research, please contact Tufts Gordon Institute at [email protected] .
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