Or, How Sponsored Projects Saves the World from Economic Collapse

Central Coast Earthquake, 2003

Santa Barbara “Tea” Fire, 2010 Santa Barbara whirlpool from Tsunami, 2011

Eric GiegerichUC Berkeley

What: •

• •

Berkeley Seismological Lab

Berkeley Seismological Lab

Since 1887, BSL has operated seismic networks in CA◦ BSL conducts earthquake

research◦ Provides timely public

information◦ Educates and trains students

BSL funded by USGS, CA, UC

BSL is used to federal andstate funding

Problem: In 2010, CA hit a budget

crisis CA cut $650M from UC’s

budget in 2011

This is a seismic event!

How to make up the deficit?

Berkeley Seismological Lab

Source: http://dollarsandsense.org/blog/page/2

Opportunity: BSL came to Industry

Alliances Office seeking solutions◦ How to bring in new

funding from industry?◦ How to create an

industry affiliate program?

Technology: At the same time, BSL

developing Earthquake Early Warning system (EEW)◦ Includes software and data feed◦ Collaboration with Caltech, ETH,

CISN, USGSExisting technology with continuing research potential

But not ready for public consumption

Earthquakes (red) and faults (black) in

California 

Source: http://seismo.berkeley.edu/~rallen/research/elarms/index.php

Solution: Earthquake Research Affiliates ProgramResearch-based membership programEarly access to EEW software via research license in SRA/membership agmtFor internal, noncommercial testing onlyDisclaimers, No warrantyCompanies provide feedback, R&D

Result: New RevenueBSL now has new revenue streamBSL has industry partners for R&D, feedbackBSL creating pathway to roll out EEW

Eric GiegerichUC Berkeley

Establish yourself as part of the economic development solution

We have pulse on research sponsors, companies, new opportunities

We have key data We have expertise—legal, policy, financial… We have contacts, networks

Establish yourself as the go to person

What You Can Do

Make Referrals, Introductions Because we have our finger on the pulse:

◦ We see what comes in, across the university◦ We see what happens at other universities, from a

different standpoint than the PI◦ We get inquiries from the outside◦ We have external contacts

We can make introductions, referrals, suggestions

Establish yourself as a Network Hub

What You Can Do

Coach faculty What it means to work with industry

◦ Adapting to new approaches◦ Implications of industry funding—confidentiality,

publication, intellectual property… Pursue industry funding to supplement income

loss Pursue industry to develop and deploy research

results—pathways to technology transfer

Establish yourself as a bridge

What You Can Do

Working with industry doesn’t have to compete with research integrity◦ It can even enhance it◦ Can provide valuable feedback◦ Can provide pathway for technology transfer

What You Can Do

Keep an eye on the value the university provides as a research university—that’s one reason companies come to us

Establish yourself as a bridge

Reassure faculty on preserving university principles

Identify what PI/group have to Offer Shift: Help faculty identify capabilities &

assets◦ What unique research capabilities◦ What software, data◦ What data collection capabilities◦ What unique equipment, resources, installations◦ What recharge services◦ What networks, affiliations, partnerships◦ What graduates, internships, new hires

Establish university as buffet of offerings

What You Can Do

Explore Options Take a second look at familiar behaviors:

◦ Citing reasons why not◦ Sending over that template too soon◦ Being unwilling to draft/consider new terms

Try some new behaviors◦ Champion new ideas◦ “Let’s think about how that could work”

New ways to meet policies and principles?◦ Build network of internal people to explore options

while preserving principles, mitigating risk

Establish yourself as a solutions person

What You Can Do

Make it happen! Champion new opportunities!

What You Can Do

Sponsored Projects is part of the Economic Development Solution

Ink new deals! Bring in revenue! Keep building relationships!