RISE-UP

RISE-UP is a collaboration between the University of Alaska, University of Rhode Island (implemented via 401 Tech Bridge) and the University of Hawaii funded by the US Office of Naval Research (ONR).

Why did ONR choose these three States? Each historically has very similar sized populations (1M+) as well as similar issues in the domain of workforce resiliency, supply-chain barriers, and under-utilized ocean economic opportunities. RISE-UP seeks to bridge the gap between industry and academia to solve dual-use challenges by accelerating the translation of research and intellectual property into products, services, and ultimately new business ventures into and out of their universities and start-up ecosystems.

The four pillar programs of the initiative focus on the development of commercialized scalable technologies and build a workforce for the Navy and industries of the future. With a keen focus on developing new dual use technologies that may translate into innovative products, services, and, ideally, new ventures, the four distinct RISE-UP pillar programs are implemented and adjusted locally to seek to drive meaningful research and innovation outcomes among many groups – students, faculty, and the greater community, and critical technology areas to include energy, marine technology, and the overall blue economy.