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Frequently Asked Questions

Industry Member FAQ

What are the Research Focus Areas?

CVDI brings both synergy and complementary data science and big data research initiatives in the areas of data acquisition and management, analytics, visualization & human interaction, applications to drive innovation in visual and decision informatics. The research topics within the analytics domain include visual analytics, predictive analytics, augmented intelligence, data summarization, deep learning, complex systems analysis, evolutionary optimization, agent-based models and simulation, privacy-preserving learning, and meta-learning. New visualization and human-computer interaction topics include interactive visualization, human-computer interaction modeling, cognitive assistance, and immersive analytics. Topics in data management include big data platforms, knowledge organization, data fusion and integration, parallel processing of massively large datasets, and green computing. The Center also brings complementary expertise in health informatics, biomedicine, energy, computational law, education, cybersecurity, disaster management, advanced manufacturing, psychology, and environmental science.

How does the CVDI IUCRC Process Work?

The research conducted CVDI is done in collaboration with an Industry Advisory Board (IAB) that ensures through the feedback loop and voting process that it aligns with the emerging needs of the consortium and its IAB members.

What are the benefits of joining CVDI?

CVDI’s value proposition is to offer a low-cost, low-risk venue for its members from industry and government agencies to validate their early-stage innovations with the involvement of university faculty, post-doctoral scholars, researchers and students.

Members of the CVDI Industry Advisory Board (IAB) have access to leading-edge developments in data science, big data, analytics, and visual and decision informatics. IAB members guide the direction of the Center’s research projects. Members will also have access to the interdisciplinary knowledge base from academic researchers and engage with other industry advisory board members to explore potential opportunities. The following are highlights of membership benefits:

  • CVDI provides low-cost, low-risk precompetitive research. A very high percentage of the project funds support research and the Center charges only 10% overhead project funds generated via membership fees.
  • This amounts to 13:1 return-on-investment, for industry members, based on industry funding received through Phase I and 42:1 return-on-investment if NSF support is counted.
  • CVDI generates considerable intellectual property including two major industry breakthroughs, 91 invention disclosures and 165 peer-reviewed publications.
  • The Center provides access to non-exclusive royalty-free license to the intellectual property generated from all the projects. Exclusive licensing options may be available under special circumstances.
  • Formal periodic project reviews along with continuous informal interaction and timely access to reports, papers and intellectual property generated by the Center.
  • Access to a high-quality student pool (a majority are Ph.D. students) who collaborate with industry research partners. This partnership provides students exposure to real-world research problems, and enables companies to conduct research with less investment, and evaluate and attract top talent.
  • One-stop access to a world-class research program. From 2012-2019, the center has completed over 88 projects with 74 academic faculty and research scientists, and over 146 undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Highly collaborative environment with added flexibility for industry members to construct joint research projects with faculty and other industry, and team-up with faculty to pursue joint federal grant opportunities.
  • Access to state-of-the-art big data research facilities such as the Visual Analytics Sandbox for IAB projects.
  • The ability for industry members to propose research problems that are most relevant to the CVDI research areas.
  • Professional Development opportunities such as co-author peer-reviewed articles with CVDI researchers and co-present at professional conferences with CVDI researchers.
  • University site visits offer a broader understanding of the research status, accomplishments and capabilities and interests of the researchers and the universities
  • Recruitment opportunities to attract outstanding graduate students. During the first two phases of CVDI, over 146 students were supported by CVDI research activities and grants.
  • Opportunity to network and collaborate with other Industry Advisory Board members to explore joint ventures.

In summary, the CVDI value proposition is to offer a low-cost, low-risk venue for the industry and government agencies to validate the early stage innovation with the involvement of university faculty, post-doctorate scholars and students.

Can a small business join CVDI?

Annual memberships for small businesses are available at a reduced rate. A small business is defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small business members benefit from a greater ROI and can qualify for additional funding and subsidized fees, for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grants obtained from the NSF.

How much does it cost to be an IAB member?

The cost of an annual membership in CVDI is $50K. Small Business annual membership price is $20K. Currently, a company making a $50K membership investment is receiving over a 42:1 leverage. CVDI does allow for companies to purchase more than one membership (not to exceed two seats on the IAB) thus providing the company additional IAB slots and increased voting privileges.

How are the IAB payments handled?

Payment of membership fees is made to the sponsoring University as a lump sum effective March 1st or in four equal quarterly installments on the 1st day of March, June, September, and December of each year of sponsorship.

Who are the current IAB members?

Current industry members are supporting projects beginning in the fall of 2020 and ending in the summer of 2021. Industry members are listed on the home page.

Is there a list of CVDI-related publications?

Past and current research topics as well as all Center publications are available to IAB member companies via the CVDI collaboration portal. See Publications

Can IAB members license CVDI research?

IAB members are entitled to a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to the results of the Center research during their active membership. Exact details, as well as exclusive royalty options, can be found in the CVDI Industrial Member Agreement.

Are there opportunities for dedicated/exclusive royalty research through CVDI?

Please speak with your sponsoring university for options on exclusive enhancement contracts that can be layered on top of your IAB membership.

What is the process for joining CVDI?

The process for joining the Industry Advisory Board is very straightforward:

  • Meeting of interested parties between the sponsoring university and the potential member company is held, on an on-demand basis, to review, partnership agreement and identify mutually beneficial areas of research;
  • IAB contract signed by both parties, and
  • First annual/quarterly payment made to sponsoring university.

What are my responsibilities as an IAB member?

The IAB strongly influences the Center’s strategic direction and research focus by having a leadership role in the selection and evaluation of research projects. Company commitment and IAB participation is key to a successful partnership.

Responsibilities include:

  • Meet financial deadlines regarding membership fees
  • Provide direction to potential CVDI research areas
  • Participate in research project reviews
  • Vote on project funding
  • Attend at Fall/Spring IAB Workshops
  • Provide mentorship to PIs and graduate students
  • Connect with CVDI Researchers and other IAB members to develop collaborative relationships

Other questions?

Interested in becoming a CVDI Industry Advisory Board Member or have any questions about membership? Let us come visit your company to better understand your challenges and demonstrate the benefits of a CVDI partnership, as well as, share some of our success stories.

Email Matt Delcambre, Innovative Managing Director mailto:mattdelcambre@louisiana.edu for more information.

about/frequently_asked_questions.1614883060.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/03/04 12:37 by andrea.frey