New event series to help Clemson researchers thrive

CLEMSON — A new series of events seeks to grow and enhance collaborations between the Clemson University research enterprise and industry.

The Innovation Series for Partnering Industry with the Research Enterprise (INSPIRE) is a programmatic series designed to support and enhance both new and existing relationships between Clemson researchers and industrial partners. Hosted by Clemson University and the Clemson University Research Foundation, INSPIRE will offer customized events that have subject matter geared towards Clemson researchers and industry.

“Industry-university research engagement is very key in enhancing Clemson’s research enterprise,” said Chase Kasper, director of business development at the Clemson University Research Foundation. “We are excited to launch INSPIRE as it is a structured event series designed to open pathways to enhance long-term collaborations between the Clemson University research enterprise and industrial partners.”

The first INSPIRE event Oct. 22 will offer Clemson research faculty, small businesses, staff and students the opportunity to learn the aspects of writing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. Featuring 3PhaseSC, a resource created by the South Carolina Department of Commerce aimed at assisting South-Carolina based companies with successfully acquiring SBIR/STTR funding, the SBIR/STTR workshop is aimed at informing participants about what reviewers look for when reviewing grants. In addition to 3PhaseSC, speakers from external organizations include:

• South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA),
• the i4 Series,
• Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE),
• Clemson University Office of the Vice President for Research,
• Clemson University Research Foundation,
• Recover Inc. and more.

For more information on the SBIR/STTR workshop or to register, click here.

Industry opportunity

INSPIRE gives industry the opportunity to learn about research being conducted at Clemson as well as the many unique resources and capabilities available to industry partners Clemson has to offer including:

• Research centers and institutes,
• Unique facilities,
• CURF: Clemson’s Technology Transfer Office,
• One-of-a-kind and state-of -the-art equipment and testing services,
• Students that have relevant training and skills to be potential work force additions and
• Opportunities for collaboration.

INSPIRE is ideal for:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises with limited R&D capabilities that wish to engage with and leverage the Clemson University research enterprise,
• Larger corporations seeking to add new research directions and dimension to their existing R&D and
• New or current industry partners interested in collaborating with an R1 Carnegie-rated research enterprise and identify areas of common interest.

Research opportunity

INSPIRE has been designed for Clemson faculty members who want to engage with companies and have their research/technologies exposed to new markets, and those who are interested in making Industry aware of Clemson’s broad and deep strengths in research. This event is intended to expose faculty researchers to a variety of opportunities including:

• Learning how industry is structured and how partnerships/point of contacts might be worked with
• Building long-term collaborative relationships with Industry
• Securing funding to facilitate projects of common interest to both Industry and Clemson

Clemson Research
 With advanced technology and state-of-the-art laboratories, Clemson University provides an environment where researchers and industry professionals can come together to create ideas for the future. For years, Clemson has created and nurtured research and economic development centers to build a knowledge-based economy. Clemson’s more than 100 centers and institutes are dedicated to everything from automotive excellence to advanced materials, from international diversity to community outreach, from ethics to the arts. The link between academics and industry grows stronger every day. In 2016, Clemson University was classified as one of the nation’s most active research institutions (Carnegie Basic Classification R1 – Highest Research Activity) and was awarded nearly $150 million in external research funding for fiscal year 2018, up almost 92 percent from 2013.

For more information about INSPIRE or being an organizational participant in INSPIRE, contact Chase Kasper, Director of Business Development, Clemson University Research Foundation at (864) 656-1402 or kasper@clemson.edu