RTI ppt template

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(Academic) Partnerships
With Nonprofit Research
Institutions SPAIG Committee and Section on
Physical and Engineering Sciences Sally C.
Morton August, 2008
RTI International is a trade name of Research
Triangle Institute
3040 Cornwallis Road P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
27709
Phone [phone]
e-mail morton_at_rti.org
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Outline

• What is a nonprofit research institution?
• What motivates a nonprofit institution and its
  staff?
• Does nonprofit mean the institution does not
  focus on financials?
• Where do a nonprofits funds come from?
• What should you think about if you (academic
  institution) want to work with a nonprofit?
• Compared to what? My experience is limited to
• RTI International (employee)
• The RAND Corporation (employee and summer intern)

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What is a Nonprofit Research Institution?

• A nonprofit organization is one that is
  incorporated under state laws to either benefit
  members of an organization or for some public
  purpose (e.g., scientific research, education,
  humanitarianism)
• Nonprofits can still make profit but the profits
  must be used to benefit the organization or its
  purpose
• RTI International is a 501(c)(3), meaning it
  qualifies for a federal tax exemption

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Nonprofit Research Institutions Missions

• RTI International
• To improve the human condition by turning
  knowledge into practice
• The RAND Corporation
• To improve policy and decisionmaking through
  research and analysis
• Staff are motivated by the mission and scientific
  pursuits
• Quasi-academic philosophy, objectives and
  environment dominate
• Staff are the only currency of these institutions

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Nonprofit Research Institutions
Financial Perspective

• Have limited or no additional sources of funds,
  so must earn income to maintain capabilities and
  invest in the future
• Consider decisions from both mission and business
  perspectives
• Adhere to government accounting standards
• Think about the bottom-line
• Meet a budget

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Where Does the Funding Come From?

• Majority of funding comes from government
  agencies (NIH, NCES, SAMSHA, DHS, DOD, DOE, etc.
  etc.)
• Some funding from foundations (e.g., RWJF) and
  commercial clients (e.g., pharma)
• Funding vehicles
• Contracts (fee varies)
• Cooperative agreements (no fee)
• Grants (no fee)
• Fee is payment over and above the costs of
  doing the project, one of the sources of an
  institutions income in addition to
  commercialization proceeds

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Partnership with an Academic OrganizationBenefit
s from the Nonprofit Perspective

• Altruistic accept shared responsibility to
  contribute to the discipline by helping train the
  next generation
• Recruitment possibilities
• Increase probability of funding if particular
  opportunity calls for training or student
  involvement
• Access to latest methodology
• Note that each of these benefits might be gained
  via other ways

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Partnership with an Academic OrganizationNegativ
es from the Nonprofit Perspective

• Projects cannot adapt to academic model or
  timing
• Timing may not match availability
• Deliverables must be done on time and with high
  quality
• No flexibility to deal with heterogeneity
• Practical aspects
• How much does it cost?
• Even if it costs nothing, what are the hidden
  costs? Computer, space, mentoring, security
  issues, etc.
• Couldnt I hire a new Bachelors grad for less
  money? More broadly - solve permanent
  staffing issues first

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Ways to Start to Make It Work

• Student internships
• Sabbatical visits to institute by professors
• Adjunct professor appointments for nonprofit
  statisticians
• Partnering on proposals (SBSA)
• Subcontracts to professors on contracts and/or
  grants
• NOTE Shared staffing might create competition
  problems

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Ways to Start to Make It Work, cont.

• By statisticians at both locales
• Seminars
• Short courses
• Visits can be short (one day) and still be
  beneficial
• Visits by (career day) and to students
• Involvement in other venues where information is
  exchanged
• Professional meetings
• Professional societies

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How to Make it Work

• Know that it can work but it may be hard to start
• Successes RAND summer intern program (and many
  others)
• Find champions
• Collaborate on objectives and showcase the
  outcomes
• Impact on individuals
• Impact on profession (papers, presentations,
  etc.)
• Impact on institution
• Recruitment
• Diversity
• Look for external and/or internal funding

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Questions?

• Sally C. Morton
• morton_at_rti.org
• 919-316-3423