4 | ANNUAL REPORT 2017 5 | ANNUAL REPORT 2017 RESEARCH. APPLIED RESEARCH SOLVING INDUSTRY’S CHALLENGES Collaboration between universities and businesses on applied research is vital to the development of innovations and advanced technologies needed to solve industry’s most pressing challenges and gives companies an important advantage in today’s competitive economy. UM-Dearborn was founded in response to industry needs, and is in a strong position to provide practical, real-time solutions working with corporate partners. Our world-class faculty produce cutting-edge, industry-relevant research critical to bringing new products to market. This collaboration not only benefits our corporate partners, it provides meaningful and practical insight to our faculty regarding current trends in the marketplace—and that valuable knowledge makes its way directly into our classrooms. FORD ALLIANCE Ford Motor Company is one of UM-Dearborn’s most important research partners, dating back to the university’s founding in 1959 with a gift of funding and land from the company. Much of the recent collaborations with Ford takes place through the Ford University Alliance Research Program, which partners Ford researchers with U-M faculty to develop technologies that are critical to evolving industry needs. Since 2007, this unique collaboration allows UM- Dearborn faculty and students to apply their expertise to product and process improvements. It is one of the ways UM-Dearborn sparks innovation and economic growth in southeast Michigan while providing real- world, experiential learning opportunities for students. A new pilot initiative was tested this past summer--the Ford Faculty Internship Program. This unique venture invited a select group of faculty to work with Ford’s technical staff. Five faculty were selected to participate in the program, as their core research expertise aligned with Ford’s top research priorities in automation, cyber security, software quality, data science and power electronics. While not being project-based, the internship program explored potential research topics with Ford collaborators who share common technical interests and network with the research community at Ford. The hope is this will lead to more research partnerships funded through the Ford Alliance. New graf--An earlier Ford Alliance project was the Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which makes it easier for drivers to back up and park a trailer. The segment- first technology enables drivers to steer the trailer instinctively by turning a control knob left or right to indicate direction while the truck steers its wheels and limits vehicle speed. “Under the Ford-U-M Alliance, we have established connections with UM-Dearborn’s professors that facilitate valuable collaborative projects. Our joint research efforts help create solutions that have a positive impact on our customers, our industry and the local economy.” --Ken Washington Vice President of Research and Advanced Engineering and Chief Technology Officer, Ford Motor Company GOVERNMENT FUNDING CORPORATE/INDUSTRY FUNDING OTHER FUNDING 37% 38% 25% CORPORATE/ INDUSTRY $3,022,896 TOTAL $7,899,762 OTHER $1,962,951 GOVERNMENT $2,913,915 FISCAL YEAR 2017 RESEARCH FUNDING DISTRIBUTION BY PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION BY DOLLAR AMOUNT