Industry Affiliate Programs

What is an Industry Affiliate Program?

An IAP is a University research program – organized, hosted, and directed by Berkeley faculty and/or staff – focused on a specific area of research of common interest with private industry, and funded by industry membership fees. A successful, properly structured IAP:

  •  furthers the university’s research mission
  •  facilitates private funding of public research
  • educates students and provides career opportunities
  • enhances feedback from industry to inform academic research
  • facilitates the translation and commercialization of university research results

An IAP is a research program where at least three companies join as Industry Members and receive the same benefits, including results and IP rights. Companies join an IAP by (i) signing a membership agreement, and (ii) paying the membership fees. Membership fees paid by Industry Members are used to fund the research carried out by Berkeley researchers within the IAP.

The IPIRA Industry Alliances Office does not handle gift-based industry affiliate programs, referred to as Gift Sponsorship Programs. Visit the Industry Consortium Programs webpage for a comparison of similarities and differences between IAPs and GSPs. To inquire about GSPs, consult with University Development and Alumni Relations or the relevant college or department development officer.

Industry Consortium Programs

Find a comprehensive list of programs at UC Berkeley that incentivize support from corporate funders, and learn how gift- and contract-based programs differ
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Guidance for Industry Affiliate Program Managers on Managing Risk

Offering an Industry Affiliate Program (IAP) with broad research themes and making it broadly available to industry partners provides many benefits to the university and member companies. It also could open the door to certain risks. Where IAP research themes overlap critical and emerging technologies* and IAP industry partners are from countries of concern,** special risks are created that require enhanced review and diligence. Risks like loss of federal funding opportunities and reputational harm must be considered. IAP programs are advised to review their inventories of research...

Proposal to Create a New Industry Affiliate Program

The UC Berkeley Industry Alliances Office is available to support you in designing your Industry Affiliate Program (IAP).

To get started, please make a copy of, or download, this IAP Proposal Form and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Email the completed document to ...

Benefits for Industry Affiliate Program Members

In return for their membership fees, Industry Members in Industry Affilaite Programs (IAPs) receive certain benefits. The specific benefits vary from IAP to IAP and are established prior to the launch of the IAP. Typical benefits for Industry Members include:

Early notice. Industry Members typically receive early notice of new research findings, publication abstracts, and resulting intellectual property in advance of the general public. Results are published in a timely manner thereafter in accordance with academic custom. Early access....

Membership Fees for Industry Affiliate Programs

Industry Affiliate Programs handled by IPIRA use contracts, offer intellectual property rights, and have membership fees. Industry Members receive invoices from UC Berkeley Controller's Office Contracts and Grants Accounting. Payments may be made to the Regents of the University of California at the address or wire information in the Industry Member's contract.

Indirect Costs for Industry Affiliate Programs

Membership fees in Industry Affiliate Programs cover both direct and indirect costs. Learn about UC Berkeley policies for rates and distribution of overhead costs for Industry Consortia and Affiliate Membership Agreements

Indirect costs are expenses not directly associated with any one research project, but incurred for the benefit of all campus research and activities. These expenses, also known as facilities and...

Contact the IPIRA Concierge

Ask about setting up or joining an Industry Affiliate Program

Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab

BAIR brings researchers together in computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, planning, control, and robotics.

Berkeley Device Modeling Center

The Berkeley Device Modeling Center develops compact modeling solutions for advanced semiconductor devices, circuits, and materials.

Berkeley Integrated Ferroelectric Technology Center

BIFTeC explores devices and materials related to Negative Capacitance Transistors.

Berkeley Power and Energy Center

The Berkeley Power and Energy Center's mission is to further research and education in the power and energy area through engagement with industry.

Berkeley DeepDrive

BDD investigates state-of-the-art technologies in computer vision, robotics, and machine learning for automotive applications.

Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center

BSAC's interdisciplinary engineering consortium enables commercially relevant, pre-competitive research in partnership with industry.

Center for the Built Environment

CBE improves environmental quality and energy efficiency with technologies, design, and operation strategies.

Consortium for Data Analytics in Risk

The Consortium for Data Analytics in Risk is leading research at the intersection of financial economics and data science.

Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution

CELDi improves the reliability, efficiency, and power of techniques for biotechnology operations.

CoolClimate Network

CoolClimate Network provides smart decision-making tools and programs to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.

Center for Innovation in Vision and Optics

CIVO promotes the development, use, and dissemination of display, graphics, and optical technology for eyes.

FHL Vive Center for Enhanced Reality

The center sponsors research and applications in virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.

Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems Center

iCyPhy conducts research on architectures and design, modeling, and analysis techniques for cyber-physical systems.

Lean Action Research Learning Collaborative

LARLC develops reliable and operationally manageable assessment instruments for hospital lean management systems.

Manufacturing 360

Manufacturing 360 fosters research utilizing novel approaches, materials, and technologies and provides industrial service, training, and education.