Collaborative research: epiic: linking vital ecosystems (LIVE) in research and economic development

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Metropolitan Community College $400,000 under the Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) for the collaborative project "EPIIC: Linking Vital Ecosystems (LIVE) in Research and Economic Development." The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, supports the development of institutional infrastructure and systems to enhance university-industry collaboration and accelerate the translation of academic research into commercializable innovations. The primary deliverables include implementation of a grant management system and customer relationship management (CRM) platform to strengthen internal capacity for managing externally funded research and commercialization projects, as well as development of an institutional asset map and technology showcase events to expand industry and cross-regional partnerships among cohort member institutions.

The project leverages the CentrePolis Accelerator as the central implementation hub to provide faculty training, workshops, and mentorship programs in grant management and commercialization practices. These activities are designed to increase faculty engagement in use-inspired research, expand the institution's research funding portfolio, and develop innovation partnerships focused on national priorities including supply chain resilience and sustainable technology. The initiative emphasizes cross-regional collaboration and shared learning among partner institutions in the Kansas City metropolitan area, targeting research applications in defense, mobility, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Abstract

This collaborative effort aims to enhance innovation capacity and strengthen regional economic ecosystems by improving university-industry collaboration. This project will help the member institutions build the infrastructure and faculty support systems necessary to translate academic research into real-world applications that benefit local communities and national industries. By developing stronger connections between research, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, the cohort will create new opportunities for faculty, students, and industry partners to solve challenges in areas like defense, mobility, and advanced manufacturing. The project is especially focused on building sustainable partnerships and improving internal systems that allow faculty and staff to pursue industry-aligned research and commercialization efforts. The project focuses on two main goals: first, building internal capacity to manage externally funded research and commercialization projects by implementing a grant management system and customer relationship management platform , and second, expanding the cohort?S industry and cross-regional partnerships by developing an institutional asset map and hosting technology showcase events. The centrepolis accelerator will serve as the implementation hub, integrating these tools and leading training programs in grant management and commercialization. Workshops and mentorships will support faculty engagement, while cross-regional events with partner institutions will foster shared learning and project development. These efforts are expected to significantly increase faculty involvement in use-inspired research, grow the university?S research funding portfolio, and expand industry-academic innovation partnerships, especially in fields aligned with national priorities like supply chain resilience and sustainable technology. 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.