The Center for Geospatial Intelligence (CGI) is engaged in a wide variety of applied and advanced technology research important for national security, homeland defense, and military combat support. The CGI is committed to transitioning, when appropriate, our government-sponsored research into operational capabilities in support of the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSGI). To accomplish this, the CGI believes that industrial partnerships are an essential component in this important goal because industry, rather than academia, has sufficient resources and experience to take applied research and make it useful in an operational setting.

Accordingly, the CGI seeks industrial partnerships at a variety of levels to support our R&D areas and facilitate the transition of this research into the NSGI. The CGI industrial partnerships are divided into three categories: silver, gold, and platinum. The basics of each partnership level are provided below.

Silver Partnerships: Industry partners collaborate with CGI researchers on government-sponsored research projects. The CGI can provide specific expertise to enhance an industry partner's pursuit of federal grants and/or contracts. Conversely, industry partners may participate as a sub-contractor on R&D projects where CGI takes the lead.

Gold Partnerships: Industry partner becomes a formal member of the CGI Industrial Consortium. Industry consortium members receive early pre-commercial and pre-publication access to important research results on a highly leveraged basis. This leverage is derived from a funding model where members provide a small yearly membership fee (3-yr commitment) in exchange for direct and timely access to government-funded CGI research in excess of several million dollars. In addition, industry consortium members provide key guidance and direction in shaping CGI's research agenda and create unique opportunities for furtherance of our technology transfer goals. Finally, members have preferential access to recruit highly trained students graduating from our program.

Platinum Partnerships: Industry partners contract for specific research with the CGI. Sponsoring university research is flexible and very cost effective compared with developing an "in-house" R&D program. Flexibility is gained by pursuing research in specific areas on an "as needed" basis. In addition, the financial commitment is short-term and can be adjusted as needed depending on results and market conditions.

The CGI welcomes inquiries from technology-based companies interested in forming mutually-beneficial partnerships in pursuit of geospatial intelligence capabilities.