Collaborative research: epiic combining partnerships and entrepreneurship for emerging technologies (compeet)

The National Science Foundation awarded Colorado State University-Pueblo $399,944 on October 1, 2025, under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) to support a collaborative regional innovation initiative.

CSU-Pueblo serves as the recipient for this Project Grant, which funds the Collaborative Research: EPIIC Combining Partnerships and Entrepreneurship for Emerging Technologies (COMPEET) project. The award supports a four-university regional collaboration designed to integrate previously siloed research centers and innovation hubs, align academic expertise with industry demand, and strengthen translational research and development capacity. The project brings together regional public universities to map innovation assets, develop shared external engagement strategies, and implement formalized practices for sustainable industry partnerships. Faculty, students, industry leaders, and regional businesses will collaborate to foster networks addressing local economic priorities and supporting emerging technology startups. The initiative generates scalable best practices for peer institutions nationwide and aims to strengthen resilient regional economies while creating robust pathways for students and communities in the technology-driven economy.

Performance runs through September 30, 2028, with place of performance in Pueblo, Colorado.

Abstract

This project brings together four regional public universities with a shared commitment to advancing innovation and economic development in their respective communities. While each institution has already established research centers and innovation hubs, these efforts have often operated in silos, disconnected from both local industry needs and academic programs. By collaborating, the universities aim to build stronger, more integrated relationships with regional businesses, provide students and faculty with meaningful opportunities to engage in real-world problem-solving, and support the growth of emerging technologies and startups. The overarching objective is to create robust pathways for students and communities to thrive in the evolving technology-driven economy. The collaborative initiative seeks to contribute to the enhancement of regional innovation ecosystems by developing shared strategies for external engagement and industry collaboration. Recognizing the unique role regional universities play in understanding and responding to local priorities, the project will work to dismantle institutional silos, map innovation assets within each region, and implement formalized practices for building sustainable external partnerships. Faculty, students, industry leaders, and regional businesses will be actively involved in fostering new collaborations, thus creating vibrant networks that align academic expertise with industry demand. By modeling centers of gravity for innovation in four distinct regions, the cohort will generate scalable insights and share best practices with peer institutions nationwide. Compeet aims to strengthen the translational research and development capacity, support tech startups and industry partners, and contribute to stronger and resilient regional economies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.