Why Research Parks and Innovation Districts are Crucial to University Innovation

Place-based innovation is one of the most powerful ways to raise the standard of living in a community and university-anchored research parks are manifestations of place-based innovation. Ideas need more than simple real estate-they need spaces designed with intention, activated through community engagement, and nurtured by authentic relationships. That's why research parks, innovation districts, and incubators matter: they are not passive real estate, but purpose-built environments where universities, industry, and entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and thrive.

In this podcast sponsored by Gardner Innovation Search Partners, host Quentin Thomas speaks with Brian Darmody, Chief Strategy Officer at the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) about why research parks are crucial to university innovation. As a leading voice on university-industry collaboration, Brian brings decades of perspective on how place-based innovation ecosystems are built, why proximity is essential, and what leadership strategies make them successful over the long term.

His insights echo TUFF's philosophy: supporting higher education through the development of facilities-combined with activation, engagement, and responsive programming-creates the conditions where innovation ecosystems flourish. When partners align around space, strategy, and shared ambition, these ecosystems don't just drive research forward, they generate economic growth and opportunity for communities.

Join TUFF CEO Kevin Byrne in Chicago at UIDP 2025 on September 16 where he will explore this topic in greater detail with leaders from three prominent research institutions.

Topics Covered

• The strategic importance of physical proximity for university-industry partnerships and startup creation.
• The history of research parks as an outgrowth of the Bayh-Dole Act and the shift in corporate R&D.
• An overview of the different operational models for research parks, from 100% university-owned to fully outsourced real estate developments.
• The importance of designing facilities to increase "bumpability" and spontaneous collaboration between researchers and entrepreneurs.
• How state and federal policies, particularly limitations on F&A (overhead) rates, can significantly help or hinder the development of research infrastructure.
• Inspiring success stories where new research parks were developed from former industrial sites or state properties, creating new economic opportunities.
• Essential advice for organizations looking to launch an incubator, including the need for sustained leadership and a client-focused approach.

"You have to understand not like what the university wants, but what would a partner want? Why would somebody want to be there? So you've got to think more from the client side rather than the university side."

- Brian Darmody, Chief Strategy Officer, AURP

Key Takeaways

• Proximity is Paramount - For universities looking to foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem, creating physical spaces like research parks and incubators is essential. These spaces provide the necessary proximity for both corporate partners and new startups to collaborate effectively with university researchers and talent.
• Flexibility in a "You've Seen One, You've Seen One" World - There is no single correct way to structure a research park. Models can be 100% university-owned, run by an affiliated foundation, or developed by a private partner , allowing institutions to choose the structure that best fits their culture and moves at the "speed of business".
• Success Can Emerge from Disruption - Many successful research parks, like those at the University of Delaware and North Carolina State, have been built on land repurposed after an economic downturn or the closure of other facilities. These challenges can present unique opportunities for intentional development.
• Policy Directly Impacts Physical Infrastructure - Federal policies regarding the reimbursement of Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs are critical. If universities cannot expect to recover the overhead costs associated with research facilities, their ability to "forward fund" and build the labs necessary to win major grants is severely diminished , impacting national competitiveness.
• Success Requires Patience and an Outward Focus - Launching a research park is a long-term endeavor that requires sustained leadership beyond the tenure of any single university president. The most successful parks think from the "client side," focusing on what potential corporate and startup tenants need to thrive.

Connect With The Panelists

• Brian Darmody Chief Strategy Officer, Association of University Research Parks (AURP) | AURP.net | LinkedIn
• Quentin Thomas: Host of the Gardner Innovation Search Partners Podcast & Co-founder | Chat With Leaders Media | LinkedIn

Interested in learning more? Be sure to explore our Innovation Insights archives and subscribe to the Gardner Innovation Search Partners YouTube channel. For more coverage of trends and challenges in the world of technology transfer, follow Gardner Innovation Search Partners' LinkedIn.