University Economic Development Association

Member Benefits

Join Our Community

UEDA assists higher education institutions and their allies convene around topics, resources, and innovations to forge regional economic success. We exist to strengthen the relationship between our members, the private business sector, and public community economic development stakeholders.

UEDA members represent those on the cutting-edge of modern economic development. The 21st-century economy has evolved into an entity that behaves much differently from its predecessors. The elements of talent, innovation, and place have become the drivers to regional economic prosperity.

UEDA welcomes all organizations, all institution types, and diverse voices to our membership!

Benefits

As a member of UEDA, you become part of an active and growing network of higher education and economic development stakeholders working to create the conditions for maximum economic and social potential.

Benefits include:

  • News and information through members-only communications
  • Collaboration with national economic development stakeholders
  • Access to post to the UEDA job board
  • Discounted rates for UEDA’s annual Summit
  • Free online programming and webinar access
  • Collaboration on grants and regional initiatives with members
  • Contribution of content to UEDA’s newsletter and publications
  • Unlimited Awards of Excellence (best practice program) nominations
  • Access to the APLU IEP University Designation Program
  • Preference for UEDA sponsorship and speaking opportunities
  • Participation in special interest and affinity discussion groups

At a higher level, your membership is an opportunity to be part of discussions, research, and programs to drive the national and international conversation on economic engagement.

UEDA | Higher Education Networks: Powering Talent + Innovation + Place 

We believe higher education institutions are essential to building modern economies.

Our Mission: To empower inclusive economic ecosystems through knowledge and best practices in the realms of talent, innovation, and place.

Value Proposition: UEDA is for economic development professionals who seek to connect with innovation ecosystem builder partners such as universities, community colleges, and other practitioners to learn best practices, gain recognition for their work, and better communicate their organization’s vital impact in building an inclusive economic ecosystem for their community.

GAIN ACCESS, OPPORTUNITY, & SUPPORT.

Founded in 1976, the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) is an international organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between higher education and key public/private partners to fuel economic development. Areas of particular focus include:

TALENT

UEDA’s focus on talent, our economy’s human capital, encourages higher education to foster students at all levels so they grow to be contributors to further economic growth.

  • Experiential Learning
  • Industry Alignment
  • 21st Century Skills

INNOVATION

UEDA members are committed to supporting innovation, creative problem solving, and entrepreneurship to cultivate similar economic opportunities in their communities.

  • Innovation Spaces
  • Research Collaboration
  • Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

PLACE

UEDA encourages institutions to be active members and contributors in their communities to ensure vibrancy and lay a strong foundation for ongoing economic success.

  • Infrastructure Support
  • Community Development
  • Environmental Sustainability

UEDA members represent those on the cutting-edge of modern economic development. In today’s economy, talent, innovation and place are the drivers of regional economic prosperity. Our members recognize the importance and interconnected nature of these three elements and work together to leverage them and expand economic opportunity in their communities and regions.

Currently, UEDA is working in several areas critical to members. This includes developing and managing the EDA-funded American Resilience & Equity Network Initiative (ARENI). ARENI establishes networks of University Centers, higher education institutions and regional partners to promote economic resilience and equity. In addition, with support from the Lemelson Foundation and the Kauffman Foundation, UEDA provides programming and technical assistance to our collaborative groups.

Why Join? 

This is a critical time for our nation’s innovation and economic development landscape. With traditional research, education and infrastructure funding sources diminishing, new strategies to attract global investment and grow competitive economies require unique partnerships among higher education, the private sector, economic development organizations and the communities they call home.

UEDA connects over 160 diverse organizations to share approaches addressing a wide range of regional and national issues. Your membership enables you to engage in these important discussions and allows you to be a part of innovative solutions that build stronger and more vibrant economies.

Our members include:

  • Colleges and Universities
  • Economic Development Organizations
  • Federal Labs and Agencies
  • Financial Institutions
  • Local Governments
  • Manufacturing Extension Partnerships
  • Municipalities
  • Private Sector Businesses
  • Research Centers
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers
  • Small Business Development Centers
  • Venture Capital / Financial Institutions
  • Workforce Development Organizations

Benefits of Membership

As a member of UEDA, you become part of an active and growing network of higher education and economic development stakeholders who are driving economic engagement and providing leadership to their regions and communities.

Additional benefits include: 

  • News and information through members-only communications
  • Collaboration with national economic development stakeholders
  • Access to post to the UEDA job board
  • Discounted rates for UEDA’s annual Summit
  • Free online programming and webinar access
  • Collaboration on grants and regional initiatives with members
  • Contribution of content to UEDA’s newsletter and publications
  • Unlimited Awards of Excellence (best practice program) nominations
  • Access to the APLU IEP University Designation Program
  • Preference for UEDA sponsorship and speaking opportunities
  • Participation in special interest and affinity discussion groups

Organization Membership

This membership is for all singular higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, private sector businesses, and municipalities. This membership provides benefits to all employees at your physical location or campus branch and includes one voting member to UEDA.

Ecosystem Membership

This membership is for multiple organizations wishing to join UEDA. Ecosystems are groups or collaboratives working together to drive economic development. Ecosystems can include regional collaboratives, university systems, or any other group that naturally works together.

The ecosystem membership includes a lead organization who can add any combination of additional organizations or individuals. All organizations receive membership benefits for all employees at their physical location or branch. Individuals can be added on their own, but receive limited membership benefits. All ecosystem memberships will be reviewed by UEDA.