Apply for APLU’s Innovation and Economic Prosperity University Designation; Letters of Intent Due September 28

APLU is currently accepting letters of intent from institutions of higher education interested in pursuing the Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) University Designation, which recognizes universities that are institutionally committed to spurring and promoting regional economic development and engagement.

Participating institutions collaborate across campus and with off-campus stakeholders to complete a rigorous self-study of their economic engagement enterprise all while engaging in a community of practice with peer institutions across North America. Institutions that earn the designation are then eligible to apply for APLU’s IEP University Awards, which recognizes leaders in the categories of talent and workforce development; Innovation and entrepreneurship; and social, cultural and community engagement through placemaking.

In order to formally begin the process of seeking the IEP university designation, an institution’s president/chancellor must send a formal letter of intent to APLU President Peter McPherson (template available on request) by September 28, 2018. Once received, the campus becomes part of the IEP startup cohort – institutions that are actively seeking the IEP designation. An institution has three years from the point of entering the startup cohort to apply for the IEP designation. Full details regarding the designation process, timeline, and guidelines can be found on here.

APLU has partnered with the University Economic Development Association to provide non-APLU member campuses access to the IEP Universities program. Interested campuses can learn more and contact Tim Hindes with questions about the partnership.

General questions regarding the IEP Universities program may be directed to Shalin Jyotishi in APLU’s Office of Economic Development and Community Engagement.