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Universities face ever-present challenges for funding research. ORAU actively works with its member universities to connect their expertise with government and private sector organizations and to create meaningful partnerships for innovation in scientific research and education. Opportunities provided by ORAU include grants for faculty to travel to establish collaboration with other scientists. In addition, ORAU administers internship and fellowship programs that link thousands of faculty and students each year with projects at national laboratories and federal research centers.

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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.

    Learn More

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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. 

    Learn More

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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.

    Learn More

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: Sethuraman Panchanathan
    • 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: Daniel Sui
    • 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: 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: Gary K. Ostrander
    • 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: Derin Ural
    • Website: University of Miami
    • Location: Tampa, Florida
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1990
    • Member Councilor: Paul R. Sanberg
    • 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: Olugbemiga A. Olatidoye
    • Website: Clark Atlanta University
    • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1946 (Charter Member)
    • Member Councilor: Todd Sherer
    • 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: James Weyhenmeyer
    • 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: David C. Lee
    • Website: University of Georgia

Idaho

    • Location: Pocatello, Idaho
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Cornelis J. Van der Schyf
    • 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: Jeffrey Bolin
    • Website: Purdue University
    • Location: South Bend, Indiana
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1992
    • Member Councilor: Robert J. Bernhard
    • Website: University of Notre Dame

Iowa

    • Location: Ames, Iowa
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2019
    • Member Councilor: Surya Mallapragada
    • Website: Iowa State University

Kentucky

    • Location: Berea, Kentucky
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 1996
    • Member Councilor: Matthew Saderholm
    • Website: Berea College
    • Location: Richmond, Kentucky
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2009
    • Member Councilor: Jerry Pogatshnik
    • Website: Eastern Kentucky University
    • 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: William M. Pierce, Jr.
    • Website: University of Louisville
    • Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Cathleen J. Webb
    • 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
    • Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1976
    • Member Councilor: Matthew A. Tarr
    • Website: University of New Orleans

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: Laurie E. Locascio
    • Website: University of Maryland

Michigan

    • Location: East Lansing, Michigan
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Stephen Hsu
    • 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
    • Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 2019
    • Member Councilor: Terri Goss Kinzy
    • Website: Western Michigan 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: David Shaw
    • 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: Mark A. McIntosh
    • 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: Prabhas V. Moghe
    • Website: Rutgers University

New Mexico

    • Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1991
    • Member Councilor: Luis Vazquez
    • Website: New Mexico State University
    • Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1994
    • Member Councilor: Gabriel Lopez
    • Website: University of New Mexico

New York

    • Location: Syracuse, New York
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 2012
    • Member Councilor: Zhanjiang (John) Liu
    • 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: Brian Madison Jones
    • 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: Morley O. Stone
    • 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: Toni Shaklee
    • 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: Mark McLellan
    • 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: 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: Joseph Carson
    • Website: College of Charleston
    • Location: Columbia, South Carolina
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1950
    • Member Councilor: Prakash Nagarkatti
    • Website: University of South Carolina

Tennessee

    • Location: Harrogate, Tennessee
    • ORAU Associate Member since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Amiel Jarstfer
    • 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: Maria Fatima Lima
    • Website: Meharry Medical College
    • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
    • ORAU Sponsoring Institution since: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Lesia Crumpton-Young
    • 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: Marisa Moazen
    • 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: Mark A. Barteau
    • 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: Narendra Dahotre
    • 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: Laurens H. Smith
    • 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: Deborah Crawford
    • Website: George Mason 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: Terry Herdman
    • 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: 1993
    • Member Councilor: Spiros Dimolitsas
    • Website: Georgetown 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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    Powe awardee researches rocks that formed Earth’s continents billions of years ago

    Suzanne Birner, an assistant professor of geology and earth science at Berea College, is one of 36 junior faculty members from ORAU member institutions to receive the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. She analyzes rocks from the Earth’s upper mantle once they are exposed along tectonic plate boundaries. With careful analyses, she hopes to learn more about volcanic eruptions, particularly those that formed the Earth’s continents billions of years ago.

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  • Qingguo Xu, DPhil, a 2018 winner of the ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award

    Powe Award winner researches efficient drug delivery using nanomedicine

    Qingguo Xu, DPhil, a 2018 winner of the ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, is using his award to research better methods for drug delivery in the treatment of eye disorders, cancer and other diseases. In collaboration with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Xu is applying the neutron scattering technique SANS (small-angle neutron scattering) to study the structural change of sclera resulting from the presence or absence of drugs and nanomedicines.

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    Where are they now? Powe Award winner Laurent Bellaiche

    Laurent Bellaiche, Ph.D., who now serves as a Distinguished Professor of physics at the University of Arkansas, has followed a stellar career path since he was a Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award winner in 1999. Using the funds received from the Powe Award, Bellaiche conducted research on electronic and optical properties of alloys made of semiconductors. The award funding facilitated the investigation of the effect of alloying in varying and optimizing physical properties.

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Our Experts

Arlene Garrison

Arlene Garrison, Ph.D.

Expertise: Online process analysis, vibrational spectroscopy methods, technology transfer, STEM diversity and inclusion

  • Fellow, American Chemical Society
  • Chair, Business Management and Development Division of the American Chemical Society, 2018
  • National Science Foundation Small Business (SBIR-STTR) Advisory Committee, 2011-2018
Cathy Fore

Cathy Fore

Expertise: Leads science and technology-focused partnership initiatives among ORAU’s 100+ member universities, federal agencies, and private industry. She has extensive knowledge of the research expertise within the university consortium and serves as a central resource for matching the needs and interests of scientists and engineers across a broad spectrum of organizations.

Upcoming Events

  • Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards

    As an investment in the future of science education in America, ORAU’s Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program rewards ambitious young faculty at our member universities.

    Deadline is January 8, 2020

    Learn More

  • Events Sponsorship Program

    The Events Sponsorship Program provides up to $4,000 to support events that involve participants from more than one ORAU institution. Typical events might include visits to an ORAU institution by a renowned speaker, conferences or workshops with a focused theme, or a technology transfer/business plan competition.

    Deadline is March 1, 2020

    Learn More

  • 75th Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions

    ORAU’s 75th Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions will be held March 9-11, 2020 and is focused on “Smart Cities and Communities.” The meeting will provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss key technology, economic and policy challenges and opportunities. Experts and leaders from academia, federal agencies, and national organizations will share their views on critical infrastructure systems and resiliency, as well as transitioning innovative research to practice.

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  • ORAU-Directed Research and Development Program

    Phase 2: ORAU/University joint applications

    Deadline is March 23, 2020

    Phase 2 projects are defined as innovative research projects that enhance ORAU’s core scientific and technical competencies in partnership with a member university. The project should be achievable in 3 to 6 months, but no longer than 1 year, and is designed to produce "proof-of-concept"-type results leading to a white paper, conference presentation, and/or a technical publication with a clear proposal concept and identification of target funding sources. 

    Learn More

Contact us

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