The Challenge:

A University client asked VSA to help increase awareness among Federal officials of a newly established Wireless Institute on campus.

The Story:

Van Scoyoc Associates identified the key agencies working on the issues the Institute was created to address, and developed an engagement plan for Institute leaders to meet key officials in Washington.  We secured a meeting for the Institute Director with the White House official responsible for coordinating the inter-agency effort directly related to the Institute’s work.  That initial meeting led to an invitation for the Institute Director to address the broader inter-agency group, and subsequent ongoing discussions with key leaders at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Defense (DOD).

The Outcome:

Discussions with the NSF officials led to the Institute competing for, and ultimately receiving, an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) grant.  Partnerships forged with industry through this agreement have led to ongoing investment and work at the Institute.

Discussions with the DOD officials led to partnerships between the Institute and DOD agencies including of Office of Naval Research and the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency