Introduction

University affiliate programs provide organized sponsorship for research outside of traditional arrangements, such as sole sponsorship of specific projects.  These affiliate programs provide a mechanism for targeting broad capabilities and resources to problems of interest across a number of organizations or even an entire industry.

OSAT is self-supporting, relying on grants and research contracts from many funders, sales of research reports and information, and conference fees.  In 1990, OSAT launched a new program to expand its grant sponsorship base and to formalize the relationship between OSAT and its corporate sponsors, members of the OSAT Affiliates Program.
 

Objectives of the OSAT Affiliates Program are to:

• facilitate continuous interaction between key participants in the automotive industry and OSAT, as well as with other University of Michigan units.

• provide a base of unrestricted funds to allow OSAT the flexibility required to investigate key industry-wide issues; and

• support OSAT's dissemination of balanced information and analysis on the industry.

Member organizations benefit from the Affiliates Program in a variety of ways as well.  Membership provides companies the important opportunity to suggest directions for and comment upon the research efforts of OSAT to ensure that we target issues of relevance to the industry.

Other member benefits include: 

• copies of any newly available nonproprietary publications from OSAT will be sent to the designated affiliate representative and as many as six additional affiliate designees on a timely basis (These reports are available online);

• invitation for the designated affiliate representative to attend semiannual Advisory Board meetings to review and discuss current and developing activities of OSAT, providing affiliates the opportunity for suggestions and comments;

• opportunity to serve on occasional Advisory Boards for specific OSAT research projects;

• recognition and acknowledgment of affiliates in OSAT publications and at conferences workshops and seminars; 

• telephone access to a designated OSAT researcher for assistance in minor industry information searches; and 

• notification of OSAT conferences and meetings. 

OSAT benefits from the Affiliates Program funds in a number of ways, especially in maintaining their independence and credibility as a source of information on the industry.  These  funds prevent OSAT from becoming too dependent on any one segment of the industry, a few large financial sponsors, or specific grants.  The Affiliates Program funds support:

• unsponsored research projects on emerging issues;

• presentations and discussions about the industry to a wide range of audiences, including the industry’s various stakeholders, the media, and other relevant groups; 

• development and maintenance of an industry research database; 

• acquisition of reference materials;

• Automotive Luncheon Series;

• student internships and support; and

• capital equipment. 

Currently the Program includes nearly 50 companies and organizations, including major vehicle manufacturers, large systems integrators, smaller suppliers, and a wide variety of service providers to the automotive industry, including construction, consulting, and information technology firms.

Click here for a list of current OSAT Affiliates
 

For more information on the OSAT Affiliates Program contact Jan Eveswell, (734) 615-2610.

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