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The Research and University Partnerships Office of ORAU actively works with our research staff, subject matter experts, and member universities to connect expertise with government and private sector organizations to create mutually-beneficial partnerships for innovation in scientific research and education. Through the university consortium and strategic partnerships, ORAU brings together university faculty and students to collaborate with ORAU experts on major scientific initiatives that strengthen America’s leading edge in science and technology.

Opportunities to member universities provided by ORAU include the Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Program, Events Sponsorship Program, and the ORAU-Directed Research and Development Program. 

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    ORAU-Directed Research and Development

    The ODRD program fosters collaboration among ORAU subject matter experts and member universities by funding innovative research-based approaches or solutions that fall within the needs of ORAU and our customers, as well as the research interests of our member institutions.

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    Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program

    The Powe Awards program rewards ambitious young faculty at the beginning of their tenure by investing in their early research. 

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    Events Sponsorship Program

    This program provides up to $4,000 to support events that involve participants from more than one member institution. Typical events might include visits to an ORAU member institution by a well-known speaker, workshops or conferences with a focused theme, or a technology transfer/business plan competition.

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Alabama

    • Location: Normal, Alabama
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1989
    • Member Councilor: Lloyd T. Walker
    • Website: Alabama A&M University
    • Location: Auburn, Alabama
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: James A. Weyhenmeyer
    • Website: Auburn University
    • Location: Tuskegee, Alabama
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1953
    • Member Councilor: Shaik Jeelani
    • Website: Tuskegee University
    • Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: John C. Higginbotham
    • Website: University of Alabama
    • Location: Mobile, Alabama
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1990
    • Member Councilor: Lynne U. Chronister
    • Website: University of South Alabama

Arizona

    • Location: Tempe, Arizona
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2017
    • Member Councilor: Neal Woodbury
    • Website: Arizona State University

Arkansas

    • Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2004
    • Member Councilor: Tom Risch
    • Website: Arkansas State University
    • Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1948
    • Member Councilor: John English
    • Website: University of Arkansas

Colorado

    • Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2013
    • Member Councilor: Alan S. Rudolph
    • Website: Colorado State University

Connecticut

    • Location: New Haven, Connecticut
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2017
    • Member Councilor: Pamela Caudill
    • Website: Yale University

Delaware

    • Location: Newark, Delaware
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1980
    • Member Councilor: Cordell M. Overby
    • Website: University of Delaware

Florida

    • Location: Tallahassee, Florida
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2021
    • Member Councilor: Charles Weatherford
    • Website: Florida A&M University
    • Location: Boca Raton, Florida
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2002
    • Member Councilor: Daniel C. Flynn
    • Website: Florida Atlantic University
    • Location: Tallahassee, Florida
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1951
    • Member Councilor: Michael Shatruk
    • Website: Florida State University
    • Location: Gainesville, Florida
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1948
    • Member Councilor: David P. Norton
    • Website: University of Florida
    • Location: Coral Gables, Florida
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1956
    • Member Councilor: Jean-Pierre Bardet
    • Website: University of Miami
    • Location: Tampa, Florida
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1990
    • Member Councilor: Keith Anderson
    • Website: University of South Florida

Georgia

    • Location: Augusta, Georgia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2004
    • Member Councilor: Michael Diamond
    • Website: Augusta University
    • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: Atlanta University joined the ORAU Consortium in 1980. In 1988, it joined with Clark College to form the new Clark Atlanta University.
    • Member Councilor: De Lisa A. Wilson
    • Website: Clark Atlanta University
    • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Robert E. Nobles
    • Website: Emory University
    • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Timothy Lieuwen
    • Website: Georgia Institute of Technology
    • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1990
    • Member Councilor: Timothy L. Denning
    • Website: Georgia State University
    • Location: Macon, Georgia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2019
    • Member Councilor: Wayne Glasgow
    • Website: Mercer University
    • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2018
    • Member Councilor: Sharon L. Davies
    • Website: Spelman College
    • Location: Athens, Georgia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1948
    • Member Councilor: Shelley Hooks
    • Website: University of Georgia
    • Location: Carrollton, Georgia
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2022
    • Member Councilor: Daryush Ila
    • Website: University of West Georgia

Idaho

    • Location: Pocatello, Idaho
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Donna L. Lybecker
    • Website: Idaho State University

Illinois

Indiana

    • Location: Bloomington, Indiana
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2004
    • Member Councilor: Jeff Zaleski
    • Website: Indiana University
    • Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2012
    • Member Councilor: Theresa S. Mayer
    • Website: Purdue University
    • Location: South Bend, Indiana
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1992
    • Member Councilor: Robert J. Bernhard
    • Website: University of Notre Dame

Iowa

    • Location: Des Moines, Iowa
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2022
    • Member Councilor: Abigail Amissah-Arthur
    • Website: Des Moines University
    • Location: Ames, Iowa
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2019
    • Member Councilor: Surya Mallapragada
    • Website: Iowa State University

Kansas

    • Location: Wichita, Kansas
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2021
    • Member Councilor: Coleen Pugh
    • Website: Wichita State University

Kentucky

    • Location: Berea, Kentucky
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 1996
    • Member Councilor: Tracy Hodge
    • Website: Berea College
    • Location: Lexington, Kentucky
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Lisa A. Cassis
    • Website: University of Kentucky
    • Location: Louisville, Kentucky
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1948
    • Member Councilor: Kevin H. Gardner
    • Website: University of Louisville
    • Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Ranjit Koodali
    • Website: Western Kentucky University

Louisiana

    • Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Samuel J. Bentley, Sr.
    • Website: Louisiana State University
    • Location: New Orleans, Louisana
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Michael Cunningham
    • Website: Tulane University

Maryland

    • Location: Baltimore, Maryland
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2006
    • Member Councilor: Collin Leslie Broholm
    • Website: Johns Hopkins University
    • Location: College Park, Maryland
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1951
    • Member Councilor: Gregory Ball
    • Website: University of Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

    • Location: East Lansing, Michigan
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Douglas A. Gage
    • Website: Michigan State University
    • Location: Rochester, Michigan
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2017
    • Member Councilor: David A. Stone
    • Website: Oakland University
    • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1994
    • Member Councilor: Rebecca Cunningham
    • Website: University of Michigan
    • Location: Detroit, Michigan
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2004
    • Member Councilor: Stephen Lanier
    • Website: Wayne State University

Mississippi

    • Location: Jackson, Mississippi
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1994
    • Member Councilor: Joseph A. Whittaker
    • Website: Jackson State University
    • Location: Starkville, Mississippi
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1949
    • Member Councilor: Julie Jordan
    • Website: Mississippi State University
    • Location: Oxford, Mississippi
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1948
    • Member Councilor: Joseph Gladden
    • Website: University of Mississippi

Missouri

    • Location: Columbia, Missouri
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1981
    • Member Councilor: Thomas E. Spencer
    • Website: University of Missouri

Nevada

    • Location: Reno, Nevada
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1997
    • Member Councilor: Mridul Gautam
    • Website: University of Nevada, Reno

New Jersey

    • Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2007
    • Member Councilor: Michael E. Zwick
    • Website: Rutgers University

New Mexico

    • Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1994
    • Member Councilor: Ellen Fisher
    • Website: University of New Mexico

New York

    • Location: New York, New York
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2020
    • Member Councilor: Deborah Stiles
    • Website: Columbia University
    • Location: Syracuse, New York
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2012
    • Member Councilor: Ramesh Raina
    • Website: Syracuse University
    • Location: New York City, New York
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2014
    • Member Councilor: Rosemarie Wesson
    • Website: The City College of New York
    • Location: Albany, New York
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2018
    • Member Councilor: Satyendra Kumar
    • Website: University at Albany

North Carolina

    • Location: Durham, North Carolina
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Keith Hurka-Owen
    • Website: Duke University
    • Location: Greenville, North Carolina
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Jefferson Shinpaugh
    • Website: East Carolina University
    • Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2003
    • Member Councilor: Terik Tidwell
    • Website: Johnson C. Smith University
    • Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Bradley T. Jones
    • Website: Wake Forest University

Ohio

    • Location: Columbus, Ohio
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2003
    • Member Councilor: Randolph L. Moses
    • Website: Ohio State University
    • Location: Athens, Ohio
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2016
    • Member Councilor: Joseph Shields
    • Website: Ohio University
    • Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2005
    • Member Councilor: Patrick A. Limbach
    • Website: University of Cincinnati
    • Location: Toledo, Ohio
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2016
    • Member Councilor: Frank J. Calzonetti
    • Website: University of Toledo

Oklahoma

    • Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1980
    • Member Councilor: Ronald A. Van Den Bussche
    • Website: Oklahoma State University
    • Location: Norman, Oklahoma
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1949
    • Member Councilor: Mark Yeary
    • Website: University of Oklahoma
    • Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Brenton McLaury
    • Website: University of Tulsa

Oregon

    • Location: Corvallis, Oregon
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2018
    • Member Councilor: Irem Tumer
    • Website: Oregon State University
    • Location: Portland, Oregon
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2019
    • Member Councilor: Jason Podrabsky
    • Website: Portland State University

Pennsylvania

    • Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2006
    • Member Councilor: David J. Quinn
    • Website: Carnegie Mellon University
    • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2013
    • Member Councilor: Ronald Kander
    • Website: Jefferson University
    • Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2015
    • Member Councilor: Alan J. Snyder
    • Website: Lehigh University
    • Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2022
    • Member Councilor: John Olszowka
    • Website: Mercyhurst University
    • Location: State College, Pennsylvania
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2006
    • Member Councilor: Michelle Hutnik
    • Website: Penn State University
    • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2014
    • Member Councilor: Michele M. Masucci
    • Website: Temple University
    • Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1994
    • Member Councilor: Rob A. Rutenbar
    • Website: University of Pittsburgh
    • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2017
    • Member Councilor: Amanda M. Grannas
    • Website: Villanova University

South Carolina

    • Location: Clemson, South Carolina
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1952
    • Member Councilor: Tanju Karanfil
    • Website: Clemson University
    • Location: Charleston, South Carolina
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 1996
    • Member Councilor: Laura Penny
    • Website: College of Charleston
    • Location: Columbia, South Carolina
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1950
    • Member Councilor: Prakash Nagarkatti
    • Website: University of South Carolina

Tennessee

    • Location: Johnson City, Tennessee
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1990
    • Member Councilor: Nicholas E. Hagemeier
    • Website: East Tennessee State University
    • Location: Harrogate, Tennessee
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: William (Mark) Tew
    • Website: Lincoln Memorial University
    • Location: Maryville, Tennessee
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 1990
    • Member Councilor: Irene Guerinot
    • Website: Maryville College
    • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1955
    • Member Councilor: Anil Shanker
    • Website: Meharry Medical College
    • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Frances Williams
    • Website: Tennessee State University
    • Location: Memphis, Tennessee
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1971
    • Member Councilor: Jasbir Dhaliwal
    • Website: University of Memphis
    • Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Jennifer Webster
    • Website: University of Tennessee
    • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Sharon M. Weiss
    • Website: Vanderbilt University

Texas

    • Location: Houston, Texas
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1949
    • Member Councilor: Yousif Shamoo
    • Website: Rice University
    • Location: College Station, Texas
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1950
    • Member Councilor: Jack Baldauf
    • Website: Texas A&M University
    • Location: Fort Worth, Texas
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1962
    • Member Councilor: Floyd L. Wormley
    • Website: Texas Christian University
    • Location: Lubbock, TX
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2011
    • Member Councilor: Joseph A. Heppert
    • Website: Texas Tech University
    • Location: Houston, Texas
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1976
    • Member Councilor: Amr Elnashai
    • Website: University of Houston
    • Location: Denton, Texas
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1955
    • Member Councilor: Mark R. McLellan
    • Website: University of North Texas
    • Location: Austin, Texas
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Daniel T. Jaffe
    • Website: University of Texas at Austin

Utah

    • Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2013
    • Member Councilor: David B. Kieda
    • Website: University of Utah
    • Location: Logan, Utah
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2012
    • Member Councilor: Lisa M. Berreau
    • Website: Utah State University

Virginia

    • Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1966
    • Member Councilor: Dennis M. Manos
    • Website: College of William and Mary
    • Location: Fairfax, Virginia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Rebekah Hersch
    • Website: George Mason University
    • Location: Arlington, Virginia
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2022
    • Member Councilor: Rita Wong
    • Website: Marymount University
    • Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: David J. Hudson
    • Website: University of Virginia
    • Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1949
    • Member Councilor: Janet B. Webster
    • Website: Virginia Tech

Washington, D.C.

    • Location: Washington, D.C.
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Ralph Albano
    • Website: Catholic University of America
    • Location: Washington, D.C.
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1992
    • Member Councilor: Robert H. Miller
    • Website: George Washington University
    • Location: Washington, D.C.
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1990
    • Member Councilor: Anthony K. Wutoh
    • Website: Howard University

West Virginia

    • Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1957
    • Member Councilor: Sheena Murphy
    • Website: West Virginia University

Wisconsin

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    Research in progress: Developing computer simulations to improve disaster planning in rural communities

    Envisioning disaster planning and its influence on disaster management as a complex system-of-systems will allow researchers at ORAU and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop computer simulations to improve disaster planning in rural communities.

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    Research in progress: How the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified barriers to career development for women in science

    Laura Davenport, Ph.D., PMP, ORISE evaluation specialist for STEM workforce development, is leading a research project that will examine systemic barriers and acute pandemic-related obstacles to gender diversity in science. Davenport and her team are working with researchers from the University of Memphis. Their work is funded through the ORAU-Directed Research and Development Program.

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View the Research & University Partnerships fact sheet

Research & University Partnerships Fact Sheet

ORAU offers partnerships with other institutions and not-for-profit organizations to disseminate and further test technology, including access to ORAU's member university consortium; funding avenues and assistance for research partnerships in key disciplines, including ORAU-Directed Research and Development Grants and Powe Awards; and access to unique ORAU facilities and extensive databases of worker health records. Download the ORAU Research & University Partnerships fact sheet (.pdf). 

Contact us

To learn more about ORAU's University Partnership programs, contact us at 865.576.6513 or university.partnerships@orau.org.