What are industrial affiliate programs?

The University has created several programs to involve industrial organizations in research. Participating organizations are called industrial affiliates. They join in the support of an identified area of research for a stated period of time, with each participant receiving the same benefits from membership in the program. Normally, membership involves a fee that goes to support the research area.

What is the purpose of the industrial affiliate program?

Virginia Tech’s industrial affiliate program is designed to optimize the flow of information between the University and the industrial affiliates, expose personnel to each other, provide the affiliates with access to students as potential future employees, and give affiliates an early look at promising technology developments as well as other potential benefits growing out of continual technical contact between creative individuals.

Are Virginia Tech’s industrial affiliate programs the same?

No. The programs have different goals and different terms and conditions of membership. In addition, within an individual industrial affiliate program there may be different levels of membership, at different membership fees, and with different membership benefits. 

The program objectives and description are detailed in a formal agreement signed by both parties and this document governs the affiliate program. Virginia state law and University property dictate that intellectual property rights to inventions, discoveries, and intellectual works remain with the University. 

Are the membership fees “gifts” or “Sponsored Program funds”?

Neither. Membership fees are deposited into the Virginia Tech Foundation upon receipt. Sponsored projects may be established with these funds. (Policy 3630 (PDF))

How is the Office of Sponsored Programs involved?

If a check for the payment of membership fees comes to OSP, it should be forwarded to the Foundation. Membership funds deposited in the Virginia Tech Foundation may come back to OSP be used for sponsored research projects.