Research Enterprise Startup

Guidance for Launching Interdisciplinary Research Enterprises at UMass Amherst

The creation of interdisciplinary research enterprises* (e.g. centers, institutes, or multi-investigator laboratories) is an important step toward developing interdepartmental connectivity, inter-institutional/private sector collaboration, and the problem-driven research programs that are the hallmarks of an entrepreneurial research university. An effective research enterprise creates hubs of specialized research activity and bridges between disciplines that together accelerate knowledge creation. ¹

The process of launching an interdisciplinary research enterprise is not unlike starting a small business; it involves strategic planning and organization, fundraising, marketing, and dogged persistence. This site contains a series of modules, which collectively provide a rough roadmap to the launch process.

Contents

• 1 Research Enterprise Fundamentals
  • 1.1 Elements of a Research Enterprise
  • 1.2 Flavors of the Research Enterprise
• 2 Questions and Considerations
  • 2.1 Questions to Ask Before you Get Started
  • 2.2 Centers & Institutes: Pros, Cons, and the Endgame
• 3 Selling your Research Vision - Concept Development and Research Marketing
  • 3.1 Concept Development and Initial Assessment
  • 3.2 How to Create an Effective One-Pager
  • 3.3 How to Write a Winning White Paper
  • 3.4 A Researcher's Guide to Selling your Innovation
• 4 Approval Process for Centers and Institutes
  • 4.1 Preliminary Approval Process & Faculty Senate Guidelines
• 5 Strategic Planning Overview and Timeline
  • 5.1 Center/Institute Startup Timeline
• 6 External Partnerships
  • 6.1 Industry Liaison and Conference Sponsorship Methodology
  • 6.2 Educational Outreach and Broader Impacts
  • 6.3 Educational Component of Research Centers and Institutes
  • 6.4 Education Component Examples from Existing ERCs
• 7 Budgeting
  • 7.1 Preliminary Research Enterprise Budgeting
• 8 MOUs
  • 8.1 Memorandum of Understanding for Co-Investigators
• 9 Administration and Management
  • Center/Institute Managing Director Position
• 10 Research Enterprise Sustainability Planning and Evaluation
  • Forthcoming...

* Note: A research enterprise as defined here is distinct from "The Research Enterprise", which is a term commonly used in reference to the collective research activities and related infrastructure of the entire campus community.

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