NACRO Media Releases

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Connecting Campus and Industry: Halo and NACRO Partner to Boost Research Collaboration and Funding Access

LaGrange, GA, April 22, 2025 – In an era where innovation drives global leadership, Halo and the Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers (NACRO) are excited to announce their partnership to strengthen U.S. competitiveness by expanding industry opportunities for institutions in the NSF-supported Emerge project.

Through this collaboration, Emerge cohort members will gain access to enhanced tools for securing corporate R&D partnerships, accessing funding opportunities, and building critical industry connections that empower them to play a larger role in shaping the national research landscape. Emerge is an NSF-supported project that provides emerging research institutions with access to funding and support from top industry R&D teams to accelerate innovation.

Universities play a crucial role in advancing scientific discovery and technological breakthroughs, yet many face challenges in attracting industry partnerships that can accelerate research and drive real-world impact. Strengthening these collaborations is essential for ensuring that university-led innovations translate into commercial solutions and economic growth.

Through this partnership, Halo and NACRO are expanding opportunities for universities to connect with industry, secure research funding and build the relationships needed to scale their impact in the national and global innovation landscape.

Supercharging University-Industry Partnerships: What This Partnership Delivers

Lowering Barriers to Corporate Engagement: NACRO will offer discounted membership rates and conference registration fees to Emerge members, making it easier for universities to gain insights from corporate R&D teams and refine their approach to industry collaboration.
Facilitating Knowledge Exchange: NACRO will host a virtual roundtable where universities can share strategies for attracting industry partnerships, learning directly from institutions with successful corporate collaborations.
Ongoing Support for Research-Industry Connections: By combining their networks and expertise, Halo and NACRO will provide sustained opportunities for universities to engage with industry, ensuring that research institutions can continue to strengthen corporate partnerships and maximize their research impact.

“This partnership is about helping universities expand their industry collaborations and ensuring they have the resources to translate research into real-world impact,” said Kevin Leland, CEO and Founder of Halo. “By connecting them with corporate partners and critical funding sources, we are equipping them to drive innovation, secure competitive research opportunities and strengthen the role of academic research in solving global challenges.”

“At NACRO, our mission is to empower corporate relations professionals with the strategies and resources needed to build impactful partnerships between academia and industry,” said Priya Baboo, Co-President of NACRO. “Through our collaboration with Halo, we’re creating new avenues for universities to connect with corporate partners, attract critical research funding and foster enduring collaborations that drive innovation and economic progress.”

“Our partnership with Halo and NACRO opens up valuable new opportunities for Emerge partner institutions to strengthen the corporate relations capabilities of their teams,” said Tim Hausman, Co-President of NACRO. “These essential skills lay the foundation for more holistic, strategic relationships between academia and industry – driving mutual benefit across a wide range of collaborative efforts.”

For more information about how this partnership is expanding industry collaboration opportunities for universities, visit halo.science/scientists and nacrocon.org.

About Halo:
Halo is the leading R&D partnering platform connecting thousands of researchers, universities, and startups around the world with top corporate R&D teams from companies like Bayer, Kraft Heinz, Cargill, PepsiCo, and BASF. Powered by AI, Halo matches researchers with relevant industry opportunities, and makes it easy for researchers to submit short, non-confidential partnering proposals in under an hour. Recognized as a Fast Company’s “World Changing Idea,” Halo accelerates innovation by making R&D partnering smarter and easier. Learn more: halo.science

About NACRO:
NACRO (the Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers) is the premier organization unifying academic corporate relations professionals. We transform the profession through innovative professional education programs, the dissemination of cutting-edge best practices, impactful networking opportunities, and championing thought leadership in corporate relations. Through its vibrant global community of over 550 professionals from more than 300 institutions, NACRO works to create exceptional career development opportunities for its members. Learn more: www.nacrocon.org

Media Contact:
Ken Berlack
NACRO
[email protected]