Growing Number of Industry and Government Lab Members Join CRA to Drive Innovation and Partnerships
By Matt Hazenbush, Director of Communications, and Helen Wright, Manager, CRA-I
The Computing Research Association (CRA) continues to expand its membership as organizations from industry and government labs engage to shape the future of computing research. Recent additions, including J.P. Morgan AI Research, along with renewals from long-standing members such as Google, Microsoft, and IBM Research, reflect CRA’s role as a central hub for innovation and collaboration.
Central to these efforts is the CRA-Industry (CRA-I) Committee, a standing committee established to connect industry partners with academic and government constituents. CRA-I provides a platform for open discussions, impactful collaborations, and the development of best practices that drive progress in computing research and benefit society.
“CRA is an incredible forum where academia, industry, and government come together to tackle some of the biggest challenges in computing research,” said Fatma Özcan, Co-Chair of CRA-I and Principal Software Engineer, Systems Research, Google. “By fostering open collaboration and discussion, CRA-I helps us shape research priorities, share best practices, and build diverse talent pipelines that drive innovation and make a real impact.”
From tech giants to financial institutions and national labs, industry is seeing the value of CRA membership—learn more about the benefits to industry and government lab members and connect with us about joining our community.
Key Benefits of CRA Membership for Industry and Government Labs
CRA provides a range of benefits for industry and government lab members, including opportunities to build connections, influence research priorities and academic computing programs, and access valuable resources:
Academia-Industry Partnerships
CRA helps members forge meaningful connections with academic institutions through events like workshops, roundtables, and whitepapers, providing access to a network of top university contacts. CRA also offers guidance on all stages of partnerships, from initial collaborations to established, mature relationships, and is developing a “maturity curve” framework to help members navigate different stages of partnership development.
Shaping Computing Policy and Research Directions
CRA’s presence in Washington, D.C., supports industry members in navigating federal funding and policy. CRA Government Affairs offers timely policy insights, and events like the Leadership in Science Policy Institute (LiSPI) and Congressional Visit Days equip members to advocate effectively within science policy. Through initiatives like the CRA Quadrennial Papers, members help guide federal investment, with CRA Government Affairs providing insights and connections to the policy-making process.
Growing and Diversifying Talent Pipelines
CRA members gain access to talent-development initiatives like the CRA-WP Grad Cohorts and UR2PhD Program, which support a diverse, skilled talent pool. CRA members also influence the talent pipeline and the training they receive in academic computing programs through efforts like CRA’s Practitioner-to-Professor Survey, which ensures academic curricula align with industry needs.
Industry-to-Industry Networking and Best Practices
CRA offers a space for industry members to connect, share insights, and foster cross-industry partnerships. Members benefit from access to best-practice documents on topics like interdisciplinary research and DEI initiatives, providing actionable frameworks to implement within their organizations.
“CRA-I provides a unique space for industry members to connect, collaborate, and share best practices,” said Divesh Srivastava, CRA-I Co-Chair and Head of Database Research at AT&T. “The diversity of expertise among members sparks fresh ideas and innovative approaches that help us address challenges and develop strategies that no single organization could achieve alone.”
Research and Development Resources
CRA provides essential resources for R&D, from cybersecurity initiatives to “Research in a Box”—a toolkit for companies seeking to launch research without extensive infrastructure. These resources streamline R&D processes and encourage collaboration across industry and academia.
“CRA-I’s focus on providing actionable resources and fostering collaboration is transformative for companies looking to enhance their research capabilities,” said Ben Zorn, CRA-I Past Chair and Partner Researcher at Microsoft Research. “By connecting industry leaders with academic and government partners, CRA helps bridge gaps and accelerates innovation in ways that benefit the entire computing ecosystem.”
A Growing Community Committed to Innovation
As CRA continues to grow and welcome new industry and government lab members, it remains dedicated to fostering impactful partnerships, advancing computing research, and addressing the most pressing challenges facing industry today. With a wide range of benefits, from networking and collaboration opportunities to policy insights and workforce development, CRA membership offers organizations the resources and connections they need to make a difference.
Join the growing list of industry leaders who are already realizing these benefits.
