Motorola Mobility and Eight Leading U.S. Universities Sign Groundbreaking R&D Agreement

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Motorola Mobility's Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group is entering into a groundbreaking new collaboration agreement with eight top U.S. research universities. The Multi-University Research Agreement (MURA) will dramatically streamline the generation of new joint research projects, and pave the way for closer cooperation on the development of fundamental new technologies. 

The signatories include Motorola, California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Tech.

By reducing the time and complexity needed to establish new research projects through the use of common strategies and terms, the MURA forges a faster and more seamless way of working with leading research universities, one that matches the speed and agility needed for ATAP projects. 

The use of a single, universal agreement with all eight universities will enable Motorola's ATAP and researchers in these universities to engage in research projects across a wide range, such as a single university researcher on a short-term research project, or a larger, cross-disciplinary and multi-university research effort. And to do so in less than 30 days, rather than the several months that traditional sponsored research agreements can often take to establish.

"The multi-university agreement is really the first of its kind," said Kaigham J. Gabriel, vice president and deputy director of ATAP. "Such an agreement has the potential to be a national model for how companies and universities work together to speed innovation and US competitiveness, while staying true to their individual missions and cultures."

"When we started six months ago, people told us we were crazy… that this couldn't be done. But we found power in the similarity of our goal – to do great work, faster, and with fewer barriers – and a group of committed individuals made it so," said Regina E. Dugan, senior vice president and director of ATAP.

About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, a Google company, creates mobile devices and wireless accessories that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Press Contact: Gabe Madway, Motorola Mobility
[email protected] 415-860-4521

SOURCE Motorola Mobility