A Collaborative model for puis

As primary undergraduate institutions (PUIs) continue to expand their research capacity, many face a familiar challenge: competition for federal research funding has never been greater, yet institutional infrastructures remain lean. The traditional model of faculty-led proposals to federal sponsors with minimal pre- or post-award support no longer serves PUIs well in a landscape increasingly dominated by large research universities with extensive administrative resources. To sustain momentum and demonstrate research impact, PUIs must move beyond traditional funding models and adopt collaboration as a strategy for both growth and resilience.

The path forward lies in breaking down silos, thinking creatively about funding sources, and intentionally aligning institutional missions with external partner needs. This requires cultivating relationships not only with industry and nonprofit organizations, but also internally—between the offices of Research Administration, Advancement, and Corporate Relations. When these groups work in concert, they can amplify opportunities for faculty, streamline proposal processes, and create meaningful partnerships that enhance both research and education.

Rethinking what “funding” means

Federal agencies like NSF and NIH remain essential to the U.S. research enterprise, but their funding priorities and review criteria often favor large-scale institutions with established track records and extensive research infrastructure. For PUIs, this can create barriers that discourage faculty participation and limit institutional growth.

Turning the page begins with rethinking what counts as “funding.” Beyond traditional grants, PUIs can leverage corporate sponsorships, nonprofit partnerships, foundation grants, and philanthropic gifts, each of which can support research, student experiences, and institutional visibility.

Industry and nonprofit partners are increasingly seeking collaborators who can provide agility, innovation, and local impact—qualities that PUIs often excel at. Unlike large research universities, PUIs are typically embedded in their regional communities and possess strong reputations for workforce development, applied problem-solving, and undergraduate engagement. These strengths position PUIs as ideal partners for organizations seeking tangible results and meaningful engagement.

Building bridges between sponsored research and advancement

One of the most significant shifts in recent years has been the recognition that research administration and advancement share overlapping goals. Both units seek external support to advance the university’s mission, whether that comes in the form of a grant, a gift, or a sponsorship. However, at many PUIs, these offices operate in isolation, missing opportunities to leverage shared relationships and coordinate outreach.

Bridging these divisions starts with a simple but transformative mindset: funding is relationship-driven. Advancement professionals are skilled at cultivating long-term relationships with donors and foundations, while research administrators bring expertise in compliance, budgeting, and proposal development. By working together, they can identify and pursue opportunities that might otherwise fall through the cracks.

For example, a local manufacturing company may express interest in supporting STEM education. The advancement office might initially view this as a philanthropic opportunity to fund scholarships or equipment, but through collaboration with the Office of Research Administration, that conversation could evolve into a sponsored research agreement supporting student-led product testing or faculty innovation. Similarly, a foundation that typically provides programmatic support might fund a research-based pilot project when presented with evidence of community benefit and institutional alignment.

To make such collaborations successful, PUIs can:

• Establish regular communication between research and advancement teams, including shared planning sessions and cross-training.
• Create joint review committees to evaluate funding opportunities and clarify whether they are philanthropic, sponsored, or hybrid in nature.
• Develop clear internal processes for routing proposals and agreements that cross the gift-grant boundary.
• Celebrate shared successes to reinforce the value of partnership and mutual understanding.

leveraging industry and nonprofit partnerships

Partnerships with industry and nonprofit organizations offer PUIs a chance to align faculty expertise with practical needs while opening new pathways for student learning and community engagement. Unlike federal grants, which often prioritize theoretical or large-scale research, these collaborations tend to emphasize applied outcomes, innovation, and regional impact.

For instance, a PUI located near a growing manufacturing corridor could partner with local companies to conduct materials testing, improve production processes, or offer workforce training. Similarly, collaborations with nonprofits might involve evaluating the outcomes of community programs, addressing local environmental challenges, or developing social impact assessments.

These partnerships not only generate funding but also create experiential learning opportunities for students, thereby strengthening the university’s reputation as a community problem-solver. To cultivate such relationships effectively, PUIs can:

• Map local and regional industries that align with faculty expertise or institutional priorities.
• Leverage alumni networks to identify potential connections within corporations and foundations.
• Offer value to partners by highlighting faculty skills, access to student talent, or data-driven insights.
• Develop template agreements and flexible budget models that make collaboration easy and efficient.

Ultimately, success in industry and nonprofit partnerships depends on mutual benefit. PUIs must listen to partners’ challenges and articulate how academic engagement can help solve them, while maintaining transparency about institutional policies, intellectual property, and student involvement.

Navigating the gift-grant gray area

As PUIs expand their funding sources, they often encounter the complex gray area between philanthropic gifts and sponsored research grants. Foundations and corporations frequently provide funding that includes both philanthropic intent and specific project expectations, creating challenges in classification, compliance, and stewardship.

Institutions can navigate this complexity by developing clear internal definitions and communication pathways. Research administrators and advancement officers should collaborate to assess key indicators such as deliverables, reporting requirements, intellectual property, and donor recognition to determine whether funding should be treated as a gift or a grant.

A coordinated approach not only prevents administrative confusion but also strengthens relationships with funders. When partners see consistency and professionalism in how their support is managed, they are more likely to reinvest in future projects. Moreover, clarity on the front end allows faculty to plan projects with accurate expectations for accountability and flexibility

Building a collaborative culture

Beyond structures and processes, the most important factor in this evolution is culture. PUIs must intentionally cultivate a culture that values collaboration, creativity, and agility. This means moving away from the “my lane, your lane” mentality and embracing shared ownership of institutional success.

Practical strategies include:

• Joint professional development sessions where research and advancement staff learn about each other’s roles, constraints, and opportunities.
• Faculty education initiatives that demystify nontraditional funding sources and encourage early engagement with both offices.
• Celebrating interdisciplinary and inter-office successes, reinforcing that innovation often happens at the intersection of departments.
• Leadership support, where senior administrators model and reward collaborative behavior across divisions.

When collaboration becomes part of the institutional fabric, PUIs can respond more nimbly to emerging opportunities and present a unified, strategic front to potential partners.

looking ahead…

Moving beyond traditional funding means embracing an integrated, relationship-driven model that aligns research, advancement, and community engagement. For PUIs, this shift represents more than a financial strategy; it’s a commitment to sustainability, relevance, and impact.

By building bridges across campus and into the community, PUIs can create a diversified portfolio that supports faculty innovation, enriches student learning, and strengthens regional ecosystems. The path forward is not about replacing federal funding but about expanding the definition of success—to include partnerships that advance both institutional mission and societal good.

When PUIs think collaboratively, act strategically, and partner authentically, they not only survive… they thrive.