MESSAGE FROM THE CO-CHAIRS

C.D. (Dan) Mote, Jr. President University of Maryland at College Park Co-Chair

Lydia Waters Thomas President and Chief Executive Officer, Retired Noblis Co-Chair

The Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR) was created in 1984 “to convene senior-most representatives from government, universities and industry to define and explore critical issues related to the national and global science and technology agenda.”  Within GUIRR representatives from government, universities and industry organize themselves into flexible action-oriented teams that can quickly catalyze high level Government-University-Industry cooperation on issues of national importance. GUIIRR holds three formal meetings each year and working groups on crosscutting national issues to identify action for members of the Roundtable.

Two semi-autonomous organizations operate under the GUIRR umbrella: the University-Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP) and the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP).  The UIDP works to improve the institutional environment for collaborative research between universities and industry.  The FDP, through partnerships between federal agencies, universities, and other research institutions, helps to reduce administrative burdens associated with federal research grants and contracts. 
 
GUIRR activities in 2008 focused in a few key areas where science and technology impact the future of the U.S. at national and international levels. GUIRR created a new initiative to promote more effective international research collaborations and took steps to bolster research in Emerging Research Institutions. GUIRR has also made significant contributions where national science and technology needs intersect with economic and national security concerns, most recently on visa-related issues.  GUIRR is currently reviewing areas such as international food security --the focal topic of its fall meeting-- for potential GUIRR involvement.  

Because of GUIRR’s broad-based collaborative structure, high level members, access to key decision makers and experts in government and the private sector, GUIRR is well-positioned to play a significant role in improving the health of the U. S. science and technology enterprise. A November 2008 report of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology took specific note of GUIRR and UIDP as examples of “existing frameworks of successful university, government and private initiatives to enhance research partnerships.” It recommended that the U.S. government consider building upon these types of organizations.

The continuing impact of GUIRR reflects the sustained commitment and initiative of its government, academic and industry members. Through cross-sector collaboration GUIRR continues to improve the performance of U.S. science and technology in a globalized world.