Become a Member

Organizations interested in advancing technologies for modern electric power systems are invited to become members of the GET-FIT Center. The center welcomes participation from industry organizations, government agencies, national laboratories, and other research partners. Through the Industry–University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program, members collaborate with university researchers to guide and support pre-competitive research addressing shared technological challenges and exploring innovative solutions for the future electric power grid.

Why Join the GET-FIT Center

Participation in the center provides industry members with opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers and gain insight into innovative technologies that will shape future electric power systems. The IUCRC framework enables members to collectively envision and fund research in a highly cost-efficient model, providing access to knowledge, facilities, equipment, and intellectual property through a portfolio of pre-competitive research projects with clear pathways to applied research and commercial development.

Benefits of membership include:

• Influence research direction
  Members help define research priorities and identify emerging technical challenges.
• Early access to research results
  Members receive early insight into research outcomes and new technologies.
• Collaborative innovation
  Work with university researchers and other industry partners to explore new solutions to shared problems.
• Access to research expertise and facilities
  Engage with faculty investigators and laboratories specializing in power systems, sensing technologies, and advanced grid operation.
• Workforce development
  Connect with highly trained graduate and undergraduate students who may become future employees.

Industry Advisory Board (IAB)

Industry members of the center form the Industry Advisory Board (IAB). The IAB plays a central role in the IUCRC model by guiding the center’s research program. Members join the IAB to help prioritize research projects, guide the Center roadmap, and recommend annual project funding directions.

Responsibilities of the IAB include:

• identifying industry-relevant research challenges
• reviewing research proposals submitted by faculty investigators
• voting on the selection and funding of research projects
• providing strategic guidance for the center’s research roadmap

Through the IAB process, industry members ensure that the center’s research remains closely aligned with real-world needs.

Research Collaboration Model

The GET-FIT Center follows the IUCRC collaborative research model, in which research topics are jointly developed by faculty investigators and industry members.

The research process typically follows these steps:

1. Industry identifies research needs through discussions within the Industry Advisory Board.
2. Faculty investigators propose research projects addressing these needs.
3. Industry members review and vote on project proposals.
4. Selected projects are conducted by faculty and students at the participating universities.
5. Research progress is presented regularly to industry members.

This collaborative model ensures that research conducted by the center addresses important challenges faced by industry while advancing scientific knowledge.

NSF IUCRC - IAB Membership (Annual, Renewable)

*Note:

1. Startup Participation: Multiple startup companies may form a consortium to jointly subscribe to a membership.

2. Shared / Hot Desk Access*: Available at NJIT (near New York City) and Rowan University (near Philadelphia)

3. Laboratory Naming Rights*: Members may receive recognition through laboratory naming opportunities (e.g., “[Company Name] Research Laboratory”) with signage displayed at NJIT or Rowan University facilities. 

4. Office and Campus Access*: Member organizations may receive dedicated office desk access, opportunities for affiliated faculty appointments, and access to university facilities for their employees from the United States or overseas. These privileges may include university email accounts, ID cards, library access, and recreation facilities. Access may be provided at either NJIT (near New York City) or Rowan University (near Philadelphia)
*subject to university approval 

5. Participation by companies without a US business presence (EIN) is also welcome (requires NSF approval).

For membership inquiries, please contact the Center Directors:
Prof. Philip Pong, New Jersey Institute of Technology — philip.pong@njit.edu
Prof. Jie Li, Rowan University — lijie@rowan.edu