University Cardano Research Program

UNIVERSITY CARDANO RESEARCH PROGRAM (UCRP)
Imagine to have all the tools and support to learn about Cardano, Marlowe and Plutus smart contracts, blockchains inside your local university?
The UCRP will make use of the existing university facilities and already established academic community, which it is a strong selling point: students would share their learning space, have access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, and be taught through modules and materials supported by the Cardano Foundation and team members.
The university ecosystem provides a community, resources and the physical environments essential to fostering entrepreneurial exploration. It often also offers co-working or maker spaces, conference rooms, labs, cafes, concierge services and mentoring staff.

WHY UNIVERSITIES?
Universities are assessing how best to prepare students for meaningful and rewarding careers. Today's university students want more than academic degrees; they aim to launch businesses, develop new products and start social movements. All of these goals could be achieved inviting students to be part of the Cardano blockchain movement.

WHAT BENEFITS DO UNIVERSITY CARDANO RESEARCH PROGRAM (UCRP) OFFER?

UCRP will help industry partners and government agencies connect directly and efficiently with university researchers to achieve three primary objectives:

1. Conduct high-impact research to meet shared and critical blockchain needs in companies of all sizes;
2. Enhance Cardano adoption and integration while taking global leadership in driving innovative technology development, and
3. Identify, mentor and develop a diverse, highly skilled science and engineering workforce.

Successful UCRP require:
- A capable research/management team with an entrepreneurial mindset;
- Universities, faculty, and students interested in engaging in research of interest to Cardano;
- A community of industry partners seeking pre-competitive, use-inspired research projects.

The center will promote Cardano's academic approach to blockchain development and engineering. It will also feature a Plutus development facility, providing blockchain developers with an applied laboratory for writing code in Cardano's smart-contract language, as well as tools and resources to experiment with new solutions.

Universities, academic researchers, and students benefit from UCRP participation through the research funding, the establishment and growth of industry partnerships, and educational and career placement opportunities for students. Industry Members benefit by accessing knowledge, facilities, equipment, and intellectual property in a highly cost-efficient model; leveraging Center research outcomes in their future proprietary projects; interacting in an informal, collaborative way with other private sector and government entities with shared interests; and identifying and recruiting talent.

Each UCRP is expected to grow and become independently sustainable by the end of the Cardano Foundation initial funding and support.