SOUTHWEST INNOVATION ALLIANCE

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENT, AND INDUSTRY

Welcome to the Southwest Innovation Alliance (SWIA), a center rooted in the Office of Research at New Mexico Tech since January 2022. Our primary mission is to facilitate collaborations in tech transfer and STEM outreach among academia, government, industry, and the community. Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, SWIA extends its reach to engagements in New Mexico, Texas, and California.

A pivotal collaborator of the Alliance is the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), specifically through its Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Notably, New Mexico Tech has maintained a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with AFRL since 1995, underscoring the significance of our partnership in advancing innovation and research in the region.

WANT to Collaborate?

Learn more below!

The mission of the Southwest Innovation Alliance is to support technology transfer and transition, while also promoting STEM outreach within New Mexico, the Southwest region, and across the nation. We are dedicated to fostering innovation by building bridges between academia, government, industry, and the broader community.

what we do

Tech transfeR

  • The Tech Transfer & Transition (T3) Office provides essential support and guidance for individuals navigating the technology transfer and transition processes.

    We offer the following types of agreements:

    • COMMERCIAL TEST AGREEMENT (CTA)

    • COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (CRADA)

    • EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (EPA)

    • INFORMATION TRANSFER AGREEMENT (ITA)

    • JOINT OWNERSHIP AGREEMENT (JOA)

    • NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA)

    • PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT (PLA)

    • MATERIAL TRANSFER AGREEMENT

    LEARN MORE

  • Patents enhance your professional profile, showcasing your innovation and technical expertise. They offer the potential to generate revenue through licensing royalties. For joint invents involving other labs or universities, we can provide comprehensive support to ensure your intellectual property is fully protected.

    LEARN MORE

  • We offer support and resources for easy navigation and licensing of AFRL technologies.

    LEARN MORE

  • Expand outreach to companies in related technology fields to explore potential Technology Transfer (T2) agreements.

    LEARN MORE

workforce Development

  • AFRL NM STEM Academy is a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education outreach program sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB). They offer hands-on, minds-on STEM activities that engage teachers and students in the application of STEM content in the context of a real-world setting, and introduce connections to STEM careers at KAFB.  

    Learn more about the AFRL NM STEM Academy.

  • The AFRL Maker Hub is located at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque's vibrant Nob Hill area. This innovative space offers a variety of resources for those with base access, fostering creativity and collaboration without membership fees. Open from 9 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday through Friday, the Maker Hub provides access to state-of-the-art equipment and a welcoming environment for both individual projects and team collaborations. Training and equipment reservations are easily managed, ensuring you have the tools you need to bring your ideas to life.

    Learn more about the Maker Hub.

Business services

  • Our business services are designed to empower organizations with strategic solutions tailored to their unique needs. We provide expertise in marketing, technology transfer, business case analysis, and industry engagement to support innovation and drive growth. Whether promoting cutting-edge technologies, fostering collaborative partnerships, or delivering data-driven insights, our team is committed to delivering results that align with your objectives.

    LEARN MORE

  • The Air Force Research Laboratory New Mexico (AFRL-NM) Tech Engagement Office (TEO) serves as the technology transfer organization that engages with industry, academia, and the community to commercialize lab technologies and identify opportunities for collaboration. To advance this effort, we have developed with our partners several collaboration facilities that can accommodate a variety of activities, events, and meetings.

    These facilities are open to the public and serve as a front door to working with local collaborators and a gateway to AFRL sites located throughout the United States.

    Facilities & Reservation Request

News & events

  • Click here to view upcoming events.

  • Click here to read success stories from our ecosystem.

ready to collaborate?