We’re a leader in regional economic development
Our economic development efforts span the state, enhancing collaboration and research that benefit all residents.
Innovation and Economic Prosperity University
IU has been designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) in recognition of the university’s commitment—across all of its campuses—to being a leader in regional economic development.
Southwest central Indiana economic development planning initiative
An 11-county regional economic development planning process. Economic Engagement collaborates closely with external partners to build stronger regional economic clusters and to better align our educational programming to support employer needs.
Indiana Innovation Institute
The Applied Research Institute (ARI) is an organization intended to facilitate research collaborations between NSWC Crane, IU and Purdue, and industry. The ARI was set up to help southwest central Indiana take advantage of having a major Navy research facility and a major research university, which became connected by I-69 at the close of 2015. The Office of the Vice President for University Relations has assisted ARI in putting together multi-institutional collaborations to seek large grants and contracts and to help southwest central Indiana develop an even stronger research and technology economy.
Read about ARIIntelligent systems engineering
Our work in southwest central Indiana uncovered the critical need for engineering among major employers in the region. Designed to meet workforce needs and to address the engineering challenges of the future, IU Bloomington’s Intelligent Systems Engineering program launched in the fall of 2016.
Explore the Intelligent Systems Engineering program
Contributing to rural and regional excellence
Economic Engagement and the Office of the Provost at IU Bloomington are working together to enhance collaboration with stakeholders in southwest central Indiana in order to address persistent and emerging social challenges. The goal of the initiative is to materially improve the lives of people living in these counties and to demonstrate an innovative approach to leveraging a research university’s resources to improve the prosperity of a region.
Visit the Center for Rural EngagementIndiana Biosciences Research Institute
The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is a $360 million initiative to bring together leading biosciences experts from across sectors to develop innovative solutions to metabolic disease. The IBRI will anchor the 16 Tech campus and take advantage of IU’s substantial expertise in life sciences and medicine.
Learn about IBRISouthwest Indiana medical education center
In 2015 we broke ground on the Stone Family Center for Heath Services in downtown Evansville. This innovative partnership between IU, University of Evansville, and University of Southern Indiana expands the IU School of Medicine’s footprint in the city and advances medical education in the tristate region. The center will help ensure that southwest Indiana has sufficient physicians and health care professionals to meet the region’s needs and will serve as a catalyst for development in downtown Evansville.
Read about the centerLeadership in the field
Representatives of Economic Engagement serve on many boards, commissions, and task forces across Indiana. Additionally, we are active in leadership and on committees with our peers at other universities through organizations such as the APLU and the University Economic Development Association.
See who we are