Representatives of EMERGE consortium member universities met on the campus of UIW on April 23-25, 2024, to formally kickoff the NSF-sponsored project. EMERGE member universities are recipients of NSF EPIIC (Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity) awards. The team reviewed the project timeline and deliverables including the launch of the EMERGE website. 

Initial activities and best practices were shared, including engagement through cooperative education, development of entrepreneurship ecosystems, expansion of university research centers, and outreach to regional innovation hubs. The team also met with Kurt Steuck of research and evaluation firm Steuck and Associates and consultants from grant consulting firm McAllister & Quinn. 

EMERGE members will reconvene at the NSF EPIIC annual meeting scheduled for December 3-5, 2024, in Washington, DC.