
Types of Corporate Partnerships

Explore the Range of University-Corporate Partnerships
University-corporate collaborations come in various forms, including sponsored and contract research, internships, joint ventures, and licensing agreements. These partnerships provide funding, access to advanced technologies, and real-world data, enhancing both research impact and student opportunities. Faculty can engage in advisory roles, collaborative research centers, and educational partnerships, benefiting from professional development and increased visibility. The MSU Innovation Center supports these efforts by facilitating connections, protecting intellectual property, and guiding commercialization, ultimately fostering innovation and economic development.
1.) Sponsored Research and Fee-for-Service
- Description: MSU partners with companies through two primary models:
- Sponsored Research involves company funding for faculty-led research that aligns with MSU’s academic mission and may result in new intellectual property owned by the university.
- Fee-for-Service (also known as Contracted Services) involves MSU providing specific technical services or expertise to advance a company’s internal project, typically without generating new IP.
- Benefits: Offers flexible collaboration models—either to advance MSU’s research and innovation pipeline or to provide targeted, results-oriented services using MSU’s specialized capabilities.
2.) Internships and Co-ops
- Description: Students gain hands-on experience by working with companies through internships or cooperative education programs.
- Benefits: Enhances student employability and provides companies with fresh perspectives and emerging talent.
3.) Industry Research Consortia
- Description: Collaborative research initiatives involving multiple companies and faculty members, typically focused on “pre-competitive” challenges. These projects emphasize shared learning and foundational knowledge, with no single entity owning the results.
- Benefits: Leverages collective expertise and resources, addresses broad industry challenges, and fosters long-term, non-proprietary collaboration.
4.) Technology Licensing
- Description: MSU licenses pre-existing technologies or intellectual property to companies for commercialization. These innovations are typically developed through prior research and are ready for market application.
- Benefits: Generates revenue through royalties and enables companies to bring academic innovations to market without additional R&D investment.
5.) Advisory Boards and Consulting
- Description: Faculty members serve on company advisory boards or provide consulting services based on their academic expertise.
- Benefits: Supports faculty development and provides companies with expert insights and strategic guidance.
6.) Collaborative Research Centers
- Description: Long-term research centers jointly funded and operated by MSU and industry partners, often focused on specific domains or technologies.
- Benefits: Shared infrastructure, sustained collaboration, and targeted research agendas aligned with both academic and industry goals..
7.) Educational Partnerships
- Description: Companies support MSU’s educational mission through scholarships, curriculum development, guest lectures, or program sponsorship.
- Benefits: Enhances academic offerings and ensures alignment between educational programs and industry workforce needs.
8.) Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
- Description: Collaborative initiatives involving MSU, industry, and government entities to pursue shared goals—often including joint applications for federal funding to support research, infrastructure, or workforce development.
- Benefits: Leverages diverse funding sources, promotes community and economic impact, and advances mission-driven innovation.
9.) Co-Location and Shared Facilities
- Description: Companies establish a physical presence on or near campus—often within MSU research parks or innovation hubs—to facilitate collaboration with faculty, students, and research centers.
- Benefits: Encourages real-time collaboration, accelerates innovation, and strengthens ties between academia and industry.
Ready to Explore a Partnership?
The MSU Innovation Center serves as a bridge between faculty and industry, helping researchers turn ideas into impact. From identifying potential partners and navigating contracts to protecting intellectual property and securing funding, the Innovation Center provides personalized support at every stage of collaboration. Whether you’re new to industry engagement or managing an ongoing partnership, our team is here to help you connect, communicate, and succeed. Are you ready to have a conversation about corporate partnership opportunities? Click Below!