At a signing ceremony set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 14) in the Wrubel Conference Room of IU Bloomington’s Cyberinfrastructure Building, IU Vice President for Research Fred H. Cate and Navy Rear Adm. Rick Williamson will sign an accord that further expands the Indiana University-Naval Support Activity Crane partnership in bolstering regional innovation and economic growth.

Through the NSA Crane Educational Partnership Agreement, IU students, faculty and researchers will have access to NSA Crane facilities as an applied laboratory for studies in science, information technology, engineering, math, sustainability and other applied skills. At the same time, NSA Crane will identify and jointly participate in  science projects, internships and other educational opportunities.

“IU and Crane represent two of the largest economic drivers in southwest central Indiana, and indeed the entire state, and this landmark agreement stands to benefit not only both institutions but will greatly strengthen Indiana’s economic competitiveness.”

— IU President Michael A. McRobbie

Wednesday’s signing expands IU’s longstanding partnership with Crane — the world’s third-largest naval facility — and heeds recommendations made in a 2014 economic development study by the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice for increased collaboration between IU and Crane. In 2011, IU signed an educational partnership agreement with Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane — one of NSA Crane’s major tenants — and added a partnership intermediary pact with NSWC-Crane in 2012.

During Wednesday’s ceremony, both Cate and Williamson will make brief remarks concerning the agreement’s importance. They will be introduced by Kirk White, IU assistant vice president and military liaison, who helped negotiate the agreement.

Read here to learn more about the agreement.