Membership

Catalysts of Technological Development & Innovation

In the NSF IUCRC model, member organizations are more than sponsors—they're catalysts. By partnering with our academic sites, members help shape research roadmaps, accelerate translation of ideas, and develop a skilled workforce aligned with industry needs.

What Does "Catalyst" Mean at BRAIN?

Catalysts are industry and agency members who collaborate with faculty to co-define research priorities, pool resources, and guide a balanced portfolio of projects. This pre-competitive environment de-risks early R&D and moves promising ideas toward practical use—faster and more efficiently than any single organization could do alone.

Roles in the IUCRC Model

Industry

Articulates market needs, contributes membership funding, mentors students, and evaluates technical progress for relevance and readiness.

Universities

Lead research, train students, coordinate multi-site collaboration, and report results at regular review meetings.

Government & Agencies

Provide program guidance and help align center activities with national priorities and standards.

How Catalysts Engage

Set Priorities

Participate in meetings and workshops to define needs, refine thrusts, and identify high-impact problem statements.

Explore research thrusts

Guide Projects

Review proposals, vote on project selection, and provide technical feedback at go/no-go checkpoints.

See current projects

Accelerate Impact

Support translational milestones, internships, and hiring to bring research closer to real-world adoption.

View center impacts

Ready to Join?

Become a Catalyst for the BRAIN Center.

Partner with leading universities and agencies to co-define the science that drives your industry forward.

Join the Center View membership benefits →