Did you know that UW–Madison’s College of Engineering is home to one of the most extensive networks of industry-focused research consortia in the nation? These collaborative groups connect companies with world-class faculty, cutting-edge research, and a powerful community of technical peers, all in a low-stakes, high-return engagement model.
What Is a Consortium?
A consortium is a collaborative research community where companies partner with UW–Madison faculty and students to pursue pre-competitive research that benefits entire industries. Members receive early access to emerging technologies, help shape research directions, and gain direct visibility into the university’s engineering talent pipeline.
Why Companies Join?
Strengthening the Talent Pipeline and Workforce Development
One of the most significant advantages of consortium membership is access to a robust engineering talent pipeline. Companies not only gain early visibility into student research and emerging expertise but also foster long-term workforce development through structured learning opportunities.
Member engagement often includes:
- Exposure to student research presentations and capstone work
- Direct access to interns, co-ops, and graduate researchers
- Opportunities to identify and recruit talent earlier and more effectively
- Access to faculty and professional staff who can work directly with the company to solve problems, answer questions, and serve as an extension of their technical staff
- An opportunity to collaborate and cultivate best practice
- An unbiased source of high-quality technical information in the form of conference/journal papers, white papers, and guidebooks
- Partnerships on workforce upskilling and reskilling initiatives
“We’ve hired 15-20 WEMPEC grads over the years and the majority of them are still working together”
– Brian Welchko, Technical Specialist on Electric Drives Optimization, General Motors (WEMPEC Member Company)
Many consortia members collaborate with Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro) to provide member-exclusive discounts on short courses, certificates, and custom trainings. These offerings help companies reskill existing employees, stay current with new technologies, and build internal technical capability.
“The Foundations of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Course is super informative and provides an excellent foundation for probably one of the larger technological advances of the century.”
– Mike Lashua, Madison Gas and Electric (UWEBC Member Company)
This combination of research access, recruitment visibility, and continuing-education pathways ensures that consortium membership supports both immediate and long-term workforce needs.
Access to Annual Meetings and Technical Events
Consortia host technical conferences, workshops, and annual meetings where members:
- See early-stage research before it reaches the broader market.
- Learn about emerging technologies, regulations, and innovations affecting their industry.
- Participate in detailed discussions with researchers and technical peers.
“I always look for two things when I attend: First, the technology trends. The second thing is the interaction with the students.”
– Ranga Tallam, Senior Manager, Hardware Development Rockwell Automation (WEMPEC Member Company)
Showcasing and Shaping Research
Members can provide feedback to faculty, suggest new areas of exploration, and collaborate on real-world challenges. This ensures that university research remains aligned with the needs of industry.
Networking With Technical Peers
Consortia bring together professionals who face similar engineering challenges. Members consistently cite peer networking as one of the most valuable aspects of participation.
Talent Engagement and Workforce Development
Consortium membership provides a significant pathway to talent development and recruitment. Roughly half of member engagement centers on:
- Student research presentations
- Access to interns, co-ops, and graduate researchers
- Early opportunities to identify and recruit promising talent
- Professional development courses for upskilling and reskilling
“I am leaving with a better understanding of PSM and how audits are conducted. I am also leaving with more knowledge of how to better prepare for an audit.”
– Taylor Burtt, McCain Foods, (IRC Member Organization)
A Low-Stakes Way to Engage With UW–Madison Engineering
Membership is an accessible and impactful way for industry partners to build or deepen collaboration with the College of Engineering. Benefits include:
- Early access to research results and prototypes
- Influence over research priorities
- Technical support and specialized expertise
- Invitations to workshops, training, and advisory meetings
- Opportunities for networking, partnering, and recruiting
Join One of UW–Madison’s Leading Engineering Consortia
The College of Engineering offers a diverse portfolio of research consortia. Learn more about membership benefits:
- Engine Research Consortium (DERC)
- Accelerates low-carbon engine technologies through pre-competitive research and direct collaboration with global industry partners.
- Membership: Organizations investing in engine efficiency, emissions reduction, decarbonization technologies (~9 Sponsors)
- Industrial Refrigeration Consortium
- Improves industrial refrigeration safety, efficiency, reliability, and workforce skills through applied research, training, and industry best practices.
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- Membership: Large national and international food, beverage, cold storage, and energy companies (~18 member organizations)
- Modified Asphalt Research Consortium
- Advances asphalt materials, pavement performance, and sustainable infrastructure solutions in partnership with industry and transportation agencies.
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- Membership: Industry partners in asphalt production, construction, and transportation
- Polymer Engineering Center Industrial Consortium
- Connects industry with leading polymer research, processing expertise, and student talent to accelerate materials innovation.
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- Membership: Industrial partners across polymer and materials sectors (~4 full sponsors)
- Power Systems Engineering Research Center (PSERC)
- Drives innovation in power systems and grid modernization through collaborative research with utilities and technology partners.
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- Membership: Includes 22 industries and 13 universities
- Quick Response Manufacturing Consortium
- Helps organizations reduce lead times and improve competitiveness through proven manufacturing strategies and applied education.
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- Membership: Hundreds of companies have engaged through QRM programs and professional development activities
- University of Wisconsin Advanced Materials Industrial Consortium (AMIC)
- Provides industry access to advanced materials expertise, facilities, and a strong pipeline of engineering talent.
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- Membership: Industry partners across materials, manufacturing, and technology sectors (35+ members and affiliated companies)
- University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium (UWEBC)
- Wisconsin’s leading collaborative platform for innovation, learning, and cross-industry exchange.
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- Membership: Corporate partners across multiple industries (~78 members)
- Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC)
- Leads global collaboration in electric machines and power electronics research while training top graduate talent.
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- Membership: Global manufacturers, suppliers, and energy companies (~50 members)
- Revolutionizing Energy Storage for Heavy and Primary Enterprises (RESHAPE)
- Collaborative consortium uniting researchers, manufacturers, and technology leaders to accelerate energy storage and sustainable power systems research
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- Membership: Two founding members with additional industry participation
- Consortium for Holistic Steel Systems
- Industry–academic partnership advancing holistic steel infrastructure systems through reliability, robustness, and responsible design
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- Emerging Membership: seeking industry sponsors from trade associations, steel mills and steel processors, manufacturers of steel construction products, and other generally interested organizations to support pilot projects, helping us obtain external funding resources from government agencies and private foundations.
- STRIDE
Why It Matters?
Through its consortia, the College of Engineering shares expertise with industry and government organizations.
Members benefit by:
- Seeing early-stage technology and research developments
- Helping to shape research directions
- Engaging with faculty, students, and technical peers
- Building relationships that foster innovation and workforce development
Internal Perspective: Benefits for UW–Madison Faculty
Research consortia provide UW–Madison faculty with direct insight into current and emerging industry technologies, challenges, and workforce needs. Engagement with consortium members helps inform research directions, strengthens the relevance and impact of pre-competitive research, and creates opportunities for long-term industry collaboration.
By engaging with a diverse group of companies, faculty can leverage shared resources, accelerate research impact, and enhance the educational experience for students by exposing them to applied challenges and industry perspectives.
Ready to Explore a Consortium?
Joining a UW–Madison engineering consortium is a strategic, low-commitment way for companies to deepen their engagement with the university while advancing innovation and talent development.
The Office of Corporate Relations team is available to help companies identify the right consortium, make connections with faculty and research centers, and answer questions about membership, benefits, and next steps. Connect with our team today.
IRC: A Case Example
The Industrial Refrigeration Consortium (IRC) illustrates how a research consortium can strengthen industry expertise while delivering a strong return on investment. Through the IRC, member companies collaborate with UW–Madison faculty and professional staff to advance refrigeration technology, develop authoritative technical information, and provide training tailored to industry needs. Members benefit from cultivating best practices in refrigeration, techniques to enhance system safety, advanced design and analysis tools, and strategies to improve energy efficiency. The IRC also supports workforce development by upgrading employees’ skills and qualifications and by providing access to research and demonstration projects that improve safety, productivity, reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. IRC members benefit from professional development opportunities through InterPro, including access to short courses and custom training in industrial systems, technical leadership, and maintenance and reliability certificate programs that help reskill and upskill their workforce. The IRC also conducts members-only workshops on a variety of topics, providing opportunities to collaborate and cultivate best practices.
Supporting members receive enhanced benefits that further increase the value of participation. These include preferred access to IRC staff, technical resources, and information; immediate access to emerging technical advances; technical bulletins and safety updates; on-site technical assistance tailored to company needs; and access to proprietary research projects addressing specialized challenges. Members also maintain close relationships with IRC experts and peers, giving them a competitive advantage in recruiting highly qualified graduates. By helping guide IRC priorities and research directions, these members are publicly recognized for their leadership within the refrigeration industry. The value of these combined benefits far exceeds the annual membership cost, as pooled resources and shared results significantly amplify each company’s investment compared to pursuing similar outcomes independently.