Working with Industry: Where to Start

Multiple Columbia offices work with industry partners. This resource is a non-exhaustive resource for Columbia faculty and scientists exploring research collaborations with industry. Follow the menu below to find out where to direct your questions.

Don't know where to start? Reach out to [email protected]

Explore Corporate Sponsorship, Funding, or Collaboration

If you need help with any of the following: 

  • Identifying potential industry partners
  • Turning an existing contact at a potential partner company into a funded collaboration
  • Formalizing a research partnership

Please contact the Engineering Office for Research at [email protected] 

Funding for students can come through multiple mechanisms, depending on the situation. For help obtaining industry funding for student fellowships, contact the Engineering Office for Research at [email protected].

If you have an industry partner interested in supporting an event, contact one of the following offices: 

  • For gift support, please contact Engineering Development and Alumni Relations (EDAR).
  • For sponsored project or grants, please work with your department to submit a grant proposal via RASCAL.
  • For other types of funding, or if you are unsure, please contact the Engineering Office for Research at [email protected] 

If you need assistance with event planning or coordination, you may be eligible for assistance from the Engineering Strategic Events team. Please contact [email protected] for assistance.

A consortium or industry affiliate program is a structured partnership model that allows multiple companies to engage with Columbia research collectively rather than through individual agreements. These programs are well-suited for research areas with broad industry relevance, where multiple companies share interest in a common set of questions or challenges.

  • Industry affiliate programs typically involve companies paying an annual membership fee in exchange for access to research, networking opportunities with faculty and students, and, in some cases, recruiting access.
  • Consortia are often more formally structured, with member companies collectively funding a defined research agenda and having input into research priorities.

If you are interested in exploring whether this model is right for your work, or would like to join an existing program, please contact the Engineering Office for Research at [email protected].

An industry advisory board brings together external professionals to provide strategic guidance and network connections to a research group, center, or program. While not a direct funding mechanism, advisory boards can strengthen industry relationships and open doors to new partnership opportunities.

Boards can be structured around different goals, such as providing research direction and industry alignment, supporting curriculum and student engagement, or lending credibility and visibility to a center or institute.

If you are interested in forming an advisory board, please contact the Engineering Office for Research at [email protected].

Commercialize Research or Intellectual Property

If an industry partner has approached you about piloting or deploying your technology in an applied setting, please contact the Engineering Office for Research at [email protected]. 

If you are seeking guidance on any of the following:

  • Protecting intellectual property
  • Licensing technology
  • Forming a startup
  • Exploring venture funding
  • Commercializing your research

Please reach out to Columbia Technology Ventures (CTV), Columbia's central office for technology transfer and commercialization. Additional information on agreements and contract support is available at research.columbia.edu/agreement-contract-support.

Develop Executive Education or Workforce Training

If you are interested in establishing an executive education partnership, developing a corporate training or upskilling program, creating a professional certification program, or building a custom training opportunity for an industry partner, please reach out to Columbia Video Network (CVN).

If you are looking to develop skill-building, professional development, or continuing education programs aimed at students or educators, or for community-facing or continuing education initiatives with an industry component, please reach out to Kristian Breton, Executive Director of Outreach and Community Engagement, at [email protected] for guidance on available programs and partnership structures.

Connect Industry with Students

Columbia Engineering offers several pathways for industry partners to engage with students – from informal information sessions to structured recruitment and mentorship programs. This may include:

  • Hosting a student information or engagement session
  • Recruiting students or hiring interns
  • Creating mentorship opportunities

For all student engagement inquiries, please contact Ryan Day, Director of Graduate Career Placement and Professional Development and Leadership, at [email protected].

Events and Thought Leadership

If you are looking to invite an industry speaker, identify panelists or contributors for an event, or secure industry sponsorship for a thought leadership activity, please contact the Engineering Office for Research at [email protected]. The Office for Research can help facilitate the connection and advise on the appropriate structure for the engagement.

Not sure where to start?

Industry engagement at Columbia can be complex, and the right path isn't always obvious. The Engineering Office for Research is here to help. The team can:

  • Schedule a consultation to talk through your goals and identify the right type of engagement
  • Connect you with the appropriate office or contact based on your specific needs
  • Share resources and guidance on industry engagement at SEAS
  • Help you think through how to structure a multi-source or cross-funding approach

Reach out to the Engineering Office for Research at [email protected], and the team will help you find the right starting point.