The client-service model fits EAP’s mission of connecting students and faculty with real-world energy problems, and working collaboratively with public- and private-sector partners. Billed out at market-competitive rates, these agreements connect the university with industry partners, advance the Wisconsin Idea, and generate needed revenue for faculty research, EAP program activities, the Nelson Institute, and the educational mission of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Client-service project activities through EAP involve services administered through the university, which meet predefined specifications in a written contract. The work is not expected to add to the body of fundamental knowledge in a given field (i.e. usually not publishable). The work may be confidential and/or the intellectual property of the funding organization. Funded projects will be listed on the EAP website with the name of the funder, project lead(s), and short description or title.
Client-service industry projects are led by a member of the EAP Program Faculty or the EAP Affiliate Faculty, referred to as the project leads. UW-Madison academic staff may be considered for eligibility as project leads on a case-by-case basis. Client-service industry project applications will be reviewed by a standing committee of at least two EAP Program Faculty, at least one of whom is not involved in the project. This review will assure that the project satisfies UW-Madison’s obligations under university/industry partnerships and broadly aligns with the interdisciplinary energy expertise and brand of the EAP Program. Following the EAP review, all projects will also be reviewed by the Nelson Institute in consultation with Research and Sponsored Programs.
EAP client-service projects are typically billed out at higher rates than standard grant contracts, commensurate with market rates for private-sector energy expertise. Direct personnel costs are based on University of Wisconsin—Madison salaries, fringe, and related costs. Direct personnel costs are then subject to multipliers to based on project attributes. Costs external to personnel, such as travel, supplies, and contractor fees, are not subject to the rate multiplier. Multipliers range from 1.25 to 5, and reflect the wide variation of market rates for different types of industry-sponsored activities.
All projects should be structured to generate revenue for EAP, to benefit the educational and research mission of the program. EAP will use part of this revenue to provide project infrastructure including business development, team-building, proposal preparation, project management, editing, graphic design, and meeting planning.
Student participation should typically be structured as a Project Assistant (PA) position, and always proceed such that student client-service work does not limit their academic activities or thesis research. The EAP program will develop a policy to provide tuition and funding (minimum 33% PA level) to graduate students working on client-service projects.
The client-service business model provides a mechanism to connect EAP expertise with industry partners. As such, it advances the “Wisconsin Idea” that the boundaries of the university extend to the state and beyond.
For more information, please contact Dr. Paul Meier at pmeier@wisc.edu