in the
National Science Foundation’s Center for Integrated Pest Management is open to all
organizations in the United States with an interest in pest and crop management,
environmental stewardship, and a safe and sustainable food supply. Because the Center
maintains ongoing research programs, members are expected to sign three year agreements,
but can cancel at any time with six-month’s notice.
The NSF Center for IPM represents true partnering of university, government, and industry.
All too often, ‘partnering’ is defined solely as a financial contribution. With the NSF Center
for IPM, Center Members determine the research to be funded with their membership fees through
the Industry Advisory Board. In many cases, industry scientists work with Center scientists in
the planning and execution of research programs. The Center itself also obtains grants from
government agencies to further Advisory Board directives; again in some cases, working with
federal scientists toward common goals.
The diversity of Center members presents the opportunity for the
expression of varied interests and perspectives. The Center’s Members represent grower
organizations, agrichemical manufacturers, biotechnology companies, non-profit organizations,
and federal agencies. Additional agricultural and environmental partners are often invited to
Advisory Board meetings to help with project selection and research priority determination.
All members have voting representation on the Advisory Board.
Full Membership is open to any company or organization with an annual fee of
$25,000. Associate Membership is available for
$5,000 annually. Full Members have royalty-free, non-exclusive rights to any inventions and
intellectual property developed with Center funding. Both Full and Associate Memberships are
subject to indirect costs of 9.5%. This same low overhead rate is charged for any enhancement
projects which Center Members may choose to fund in addition to their memberships.
Membership