The SRI International study explored the benefit of ERC interactions to participating industrial firms. ERCs were established by the NSF in 1985 to improve engineering research, to better prepare U.S. engineers to contribute to industrial practice, and to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness. At the time the study was initiated, there were eighteen ERCs involved in more than 700 industrial partnerships with approximately 550 companies. With a large number of the federally funded Centers approaching the stage where they must become self-sustaining entities, the results of the study could aid their ability to attract investment from industry.

The SRI study examined the type, distribution and value of the results of ERC interactions derived by participating companies. New evidence was found about the tangible and intangible outcomes of ERC participation.

“We discovered a spectrum of benefits, ranging from knowledge exchange to product- or process-oriented exchange. Firms initially participated in ERCs for access to knowledge, and the most frequently reported result of a firm's participation was access to new ideas, know-how or technologies. The most highly valued outcome by far was the hiring of ERC students or graduates. To maximize the benefits of ERC participation, proactive commitment within the firm was required,” said Catherine P. Ailes, director of SRI's Science and Technology Policy Program. “Knowledge exchange is clearly at the heart of the ERC-industry partnership. The challenge is to somehow assign a monetary value or other concrete budget justification to knowledge exchange benefits to help sustain the ERC-industry partnership in the absence of NSF institutional support.”

The SRI study also identified the factors that increase the effectiveness of ERC-industry interactions, such as alignment of technical focus, viewing ERC participation as a strategic investment and length of participation.

SRI International is one of the nation's oldest and largest research, technology development and consulting firms providing corporations, governments and organizations worldwide with the technology research and resources needed for competing more effectively in today's changing global environment. The Science and Technology Policy Program provides government decision makers with interdisciplinary research and analysis concerning major national and international science and technology issues.

The AAAS Annual Meeting and Science Innovation Exposition, being held February 12 through 17 in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Convention Center, is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the organization.

Visit SRI on the web at http://www.sri.com/