University Partnerships Program

The University Partnerships Program (UPP) connects academic institutions with NREL's high-caliber research capabilities, state-of-the art facilities, and a network of partners to create a clean energy future.

Programs

A person holding a microphone faces a group of people seated in a room

See how to engage with NREL as a university faculty member, administrator, or student.

Partners

A group of people gathered in front of a display, talking

Learn more about the University Partnership Program's network of partners.

Featured Stories

Our Impact

NREL collaborates with more than 1,000 partners across industry, academia, and government to achieve a clean energy future. NREL's basic and applied research would not be possible without our relationships with universities in terms of ideation and innovation, student and faculty engagement, and resource mobilization.

The University Partnerships Program creates impact by strengthening research collaborations and growing engagement opportunities in a variety of ways:

The University Partnerships Program: is a trusted adviser on cross-sector programming and projects; provides enhanced visibility for groundbreaking research and innovations; fosters faculty-NREL collaborations for building bridges between NREL and academic institutions across the country; offers expanded networks for resource and knowledge-sharing across communities; supports an inclusive workforce for developing the next generation of clean energy leaders; and offers capacity building for access to world-class facilities and resources to strengthen research and teaching capacity at universities and community colleges.

Trusted Adviser
On cross-sector programming and projects

Enhanced Visibility
For groundbreaking research and innovations

Faculty-NREL Collaborations
Building bridges between NREL and academic institutions across the country

Expanded Networks
For resource and knowledge-sharing across communities

Inclusive Workforce
Developing the next generation of clean energy leaders

Capacity Building
Access to world-class facilities and resources to strengthen research and teaching capacity at universities and community colleges

Team

Contact Us

Reach out to find out more about engaging with NREL.

Ellen Morris

Program Director

Nadia Auch

Program Strategist

Waleska Rivera-Shon

Minority-Serving Institution Student and Faculty Program Coordinator

Milana Pakes

Energy Equity Graduate Intern

The University Partnerships Program Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance and helps think through new ideas for program direction and impact. Members include researchers and staff from across the organization.

Darylann Aragon
Researcher, Accelerated Deployment and Decision Support Center

Bre Bailey
Recruiter, internship sourcing

Nicole Bryant
Proposal Coordinator

Liz Doris
Director, Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis

Andy Duvall
Researcher, social and behavioral aspects of advanced transportation

Ben Kroposki
Director, Power Systems Engineering Center

Hallie Lucas
Researcher, clean energy transition, gender equity and energy justice

Gokul Paranjothi
Research Engineer, Community and Urban Sciences

Martha Symko-Davies
Laboratory Program Manager, Accelerating Clean Energy at Scale

Bill Tumas
Associate Laboratory Director, Materials, Chemical, and Computational Science

Cynthia Tyler
Science Programs Project Leader, Materials, Chemical, and Computational Science

Andrea Watson
Director, Strategic Partnerships Office

Share