NSA has a long history of establishing research partnerships with universities, non-profits and industry, but it reached a new milestone in 2024.
The Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) recently established a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), making them the first Hispanic-Serving Institution to join the Advancing Research Innovating Solutions through Engagement (ARISE) CRADA.
As part of this agreement, UTPB students and faculty will have the opportunity to work directly with NSA researchers and liaisons on unclassified mission problems. According to ORTA deputy director said Karen Presley, this new partnership is a step forward in increasing representation of diverse students into the program.
“Diversity brings different talent, experiences, and skill sets to NSA which can lead to innovative ways of approaching problems,” Presley said. “This is a win-win for both the universities and the Agency.”
ARISE provides collaborative research opportunities to diverse, underrepresented student populations and faculty. According to Presley, it also supports NSA’s efforts to build and sustain a diverse, expert workforce that continues to provide the Nation with competitive advantages.
Presley first connected with Brian Shedd, who was then working for a public university, at a technology transfer event in 2017. They discussed collaborating on a CRADA, and although that specific agreement never came to fruition, Shedd and Presley kept in contact over the years.
Fast forward to 2024, Shedd, who is now the executive director of UTPB's Office of Innovation and Commercialization, reached out to ORTA about the opportunity for UTPB to join the ARISE program. That initial chance conversation seven years ago turned into an impactful opportunity for NSA, UTPB, and the greater southwest Texas region, Presley said.
“It's a testament to the idea that no interaction is too small: a brief run-in with a colleague can, years later, turn into a major collaboration,” she added.
UTPB prides itself on being a small school that thinks large and lives locally, according to Shedd.
“National security, cybersecurity, and infrastructure are all topics that are important to our region,” he said. “This partnership is unique for the university and provides an opportunity for students to get their hands on early stage technology.”
According to Shedd, the university’s business and computer science programs will start by performing market and intellectual property assessments. Eventually, they will participate in research and development to address some of the Agency’s mission problems.
“This partnership has been years in the making, and we're excited to finally see it come to fruition,” Presley said. “I really can't wait to see what the students at UTPB are able to achieve through this CRADA.”
NSA ORTA establishes partnerships with industry, academia, and other government agencies to help accelerate mission goals, advance science, foster innovation, and promote technology commercialization. Click here to learn more!