NDSU has been selected as the host conference site in summer 2025 for a national convening of companies, universities, and other key stakeholders with the goal of bolstering research, innovation, talent, and economic development outside of major metropolitan areas.

UIDP Xurban forums are held biannually by the non-profit University-Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP) at the site of a member university. UIDP provides its members – including many of the world's most innovative companies and world-class research universities – with an opportunity to increase the success of university-industry (U-I) collaborations and research projects. As a member of UIDP, NDSU faculty, staff and students may register to access valuable resources on best practices to support initiatives and efforts to advance industry and corporate partnerships.

NDSU and Fargo were chosen to host the event based upon the high level of collaborations between the university’s researchers and the strength of the area’s various established and start up industries.

“NDSU and Fargo will be a great location for Xurban 2025,” said UIDP President and CEO Anthony Boccanfuso. “We were impressed by the many great industry, government, and community partnerships in the area and NDSU’s reputation as a trusted source for innovation and commercialization.”

NDSU’s recent successes in national research initiatives including being classified as a Carnegie R1 institution, leading the eight university Great Plains I-Corps Hub, and the recent performance of the competitive $160 million NSF Engines FARMS proposal (Grand Farm, the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber and the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation all partnered with NDSU on the application).

“NDSU is poised to continue bringing national exposure to Fargo and the state and we are excited to be hosting an event with a reach like Xurban Fargo,” said NDSU Vice President of Research Colleen Fitzgerald. “It’s a real validation of the important research we’re doing at NDSU in the areas of AgTech, cybersecurity, food and water security, life sciences and beyond, and of our partnerships with the incredible industry partners in the state. Many thanks to NDSU Associate Vice President for Strategic Research Initiatives Sheri Anderson who drilled down into our regional ecosystem strengths and shared the story of NDSU and Fargo with the UIDP selection committee.”

Recent hires in the NDSU Office of Research and Creative Activity along with support from the North Dakota Legislature including $2.5 million in Economic Diversification Research funding have strategically positioned NDSU to capitalize on opportunities for commercialization, entrepreneurship, and U-I partnerships in our region.

“NDSU’s Innovation Portfolio has always been a valuable connection to industry and strengthening it is a priority,” added Fitzgerald. “We recently welcomed Zane Gernhart, Executive Director of the Research Foundation and Cindy Graffeo, Innovation and Economic Development Director to our team. Both bring a wealth of experience and they will have an immediate and major impact on helping our partner companies access and work with our researchers.”

UIDP is a global, solutions-oriented network of top-tier innovation companies and world-class research universities that develops new approaches to partnership so members can have greater impact. Launched in 2006 by the National Academies of Science, UIDP convenes thought leaders from academic, corporate and government sectors to advance collaborations through new or better approaches; advance the idea-to-innovation process through U-I collaboration; and serve as a national resource for other parties who benefit from high value university-industry partnerships. UIDP became an independent non-profit organization in 2015.

The dates for Xurban 2025 have not yet been determined. Attendees from universities, industry, or government organizations are welcome to attend. More information about sponsorship for industry partners is forthcoming.