Consortia

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)

ORAU provides innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, security, and health.  Through specialized teams of experts, unique laboratory capabilities, and access to a consortium of more than 100 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local, and commercial customers to advance national priorities and serve the public interest. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.

ORAU’s university consortium consists of more than 100 Ph.D.-granting universities, of which North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a member. ORAU actively works with N.C. A&T to connect its expertise with government and private sector organizations and to create meaningful partnerships to advance scientific research and education. A benefit of membership in the ORAU University Consortium is exclusive access to research grants, science and technology event support, and collaborative opportunities. In addition, ORAU administers internship and fellowship programs that link faculty and students each year with projects at national laboratories and federal research centers. Through the university consortium and strategic partnerships, ORAU brings together university faculty and students to collaborate on major scientific initiatives that strengthen America’s leading edge in science and technology.  

ORAU’s university consortium provides a ready conduit for subject matter expert recruitment for research, evaluation, and validation of applied science and technology solutions to practical problems. N.C. A&T has access to other ORAU programs, equipment, and specialized expertise. ORAU has established a rich history of independence and leadership in advancing scientific research and education through collaborative partnerships involving academe, government, and industry.

Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA)

SURA was established in 1980 by a small group of research universities to bid on the construction of a national Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF). SURA and its 23 member universities were subsequently selected by a joint Department of Energy-National Science Foundation committee to design, build, and operate what the Washington Post described in 1983 as “the most advanced experimental nuclear physics facility in the world.”

SURA’s main purpose is to foster collaboration among member universities (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is one of these) to enhance their capabilities of undertaking significant, transformative scientific research projects that no single institution or small consortium can handle independently. SURA is driven to promote and support scientific discovery that pushes the frontiers of knowledge and impacts lives and communities, while supporting a public service model that keeps our nation’s best interests in mind and contributes to the greater good.

Today, SURA consists of over 60 member universities and CEBAF is now known as the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). SURA continues to operate the Jefferson Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy and also the SURA Residence Facility, a guest house to accommodate national and international researchers who come to use Jefferson Lab’s unique facilities. SURA’s intramural research activities are collaborations with its member institutions, government agencies, and other researchers working to advance and exploit the transformative nature of information technology on the regional, national, and international fronts, and facilitating a better understanding of coastal, ocean and environmental phenomena.