Catalysts of Technological Development & Innovation
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.
How Catalysts Engage
Set Priorities
Participate in meetings and workshops to define needs, refine thrusts, and identify high-impact problem statements.
Guide Projects
Review proposals, vote on project selection, and provide technical feedback at go/no-go checkpoints.
Accelerate Impact
Support translational milestones, internships, and hiring to bring research closer to real-world adoption.
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.
Learn More
Explore how Catalysts fit within the NSF IUCRC framework and how the BRAIN Center operates.