Industry Consortia


Iowa State University works with a variety of industry consortia to help Iowa companies obtain the latest in applied research.

Our EDIR staff can facilitate contact with these consortia to assist members of industry with joining them, inquiring about leadership opportunities, or learning more about how they may represent specific business interests.

  • The Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC), a program of CIRAS at Iowa State University, is a dynamic, member-driven nonprofit dedicated to advancing Lean in all sectors of our economy. The ILC aspires to be a national leader in promoting a culture of operational excellence by connecting its members through world-class learning and networking opportunities.
  • The Iowa Sustainable Business Forum (ISBF) connects Iowa companies so they can continuously improve practices that positively impact people, planet, and profits. The ISBF envisions Iowa businesses as innovators and role models for the sustainable and profitable stewardship of natural and human resources.
  • Iowa State’s Polymer and Food Protection Consortium is a leader in fundamental and industry-driven research, with a focus on design, safety, and function of materials for packaging and industrial applications.
  • Iowa State’s Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) has a long history of working with industry to provide cost-effective inspection tools and solutions that address problems for a variety of industrial sectors. Industrial partnerships with nearly 100 companies have included a cooperative research program and CNDE-led consortia.