
UC nationally recognized for innovation in economic engagement
APLU chooses UC for second consecutive year
For the second consecutive year, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has recognized the University of Cincinnati with an Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) Award for exemplary initiatives in education and workforce development.
For 2022, UC received the IEP Economic Engageent Connections award, the top prize in the awards competition, recognizing excellence across three award categories.
UC’s innovation ecosystem
Recognized as the birthplace of cooperative education more than 116 years ago, UC offers a multidisciplinary approach with hands-on experiences for students, faculty, staff and corporate partners. In recent years, UC has ramped up its commitment to commercialization by opening the UC 1819 Innovation Hub, launching the Venture Lab to aid startups and simplifying the path to the marketplace for researchers and inventors.
As a result, UC has experienced a 51% increase in faculty disclosures and a 94% increase in patents issued, and the Venture Lab has launched six times as many startups, for a total of 94.
APLU’s IEP designation program helps higher education institutions codify, elevate and advance their enterprise supporting economic and community development while providing national recognition to institutions committed to university economic development. In order to earn the designation, institutions complete a rigorous self-study and stakeholder engagement process. They also identify their economic development strengths and areas of growth and improvement.
Featured image at top: Ryan Hays, UC executive vice president and chief innovation and strategy officer, accepts the Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Photo by Josh Gold Photography
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's medical, graduate and undergraduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
An inside look at innovation as it happens
September 8, 2025
Kao USA Inc., a leading provider of beauty and personal care products, traveled to UC’s 1819 Learning Lab to accelerate one of its teams’ innovation strategies. We’ll take you behind the scenes at the session.
Ohio ranked America’s 5th best state for business
August 27, 2025
CNBC ranked Ohio as a top 5 state for business in 2025, and recent reports name Cincinnati as the Buckeye State’s destination of choice for global companies and startups.
What’s going on at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub?
August 15, 2025
Not sure what the 1819 Innovation Hub is or why it matters to you? We’ll explain how incoming Bearcat students and staff can learn, enjoy and innovate in the space.