Information for Industry

Some benefits of joining an Affiliate Program

Learn more about our Affiliate Programs. (Please note that not all benefits apply to all programs.)

Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Affiliate Program Members give direct input into the kinds of research that will be most useful to your industry. This exchange can help faculty and students focus their research on real-world problems. 

Attend events at Stanford which may include annual meetings, conferences, seminars and other functions, which provide a forum for knowledge and technology transfer.

Project-based Learning Courses

Participate in project-based courses for a unique opportunity to discover new ideas and see students in action. The Design Group's Industry Affiliates Program for Teaching Design Thinking offers the opportunity to participate in several courses. The Group's research interests very from bio-design to manufacturing technology.  The overarching philosophy of the Design Group combines an emphasis on creativity, technical innovation and design process management. They are driven by a concern for human values and the needs of society.

Faculty and Student Interaction & Opportunities to Recruit Students

Get to know faculty and students on a personal level. Participation in an Affiliates Program results in many fruitful long-term relationships that benefit both the company and the faculty and their students. Companies often interact informally with faculty and students on a one-to-one basis outside of the formal Affiliate Program context to exchange and explore ideas and solutions. These relationships often provide a strong foundation for employee recruiting.

Visiting Researcher Opportunity

Provide one of your employees an immersive Stanford experience. Some programs allow industry to send a Visiting Researcher who comes to work on a research project with a Stanford faculty member. This benefit is often dependent on the company’s membership level. 

8/27/25 kburns