CIRAS connects Iowa manufacturers and businesses to a powerful network of experts, partners, and resources. Through federal programs, statewide partnerships, and Iowa State University expertise, CIRAS helps companies access the knowledge, technology, and connections they need to grow and compete. CIRAS also leads its own learning networks and programs that bring organizations together to share ideas, build capabilities, and solve real business challenges.
Our Network
Federal Partnerships
DoC/NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a nationwide network of not-for-profit centers whose sole purpose is to provide small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed. Each center works directly with area manufacturers to provide expertise and services tailored to businesses’ most critical needs. CIRAS manages the MEP program for the state of Iowa.
Department of Energy (DOE)
The State Manufacturing Leadership Program supports deploying emerging smart manufacturing technologies.
DOD/OSBP APEX Accelerator Program
Through partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies, APEX Accelerators provide hands-on, one-on-one assistance to help businesses understand requirements, navigate compliance, and compete effectively for government opportunities. With more than 300 offices nationwide, APEX Accelerators work directly with small businesses, manufacturers, and innovators to turn interest into action.
Iowa Partners
Alliant Energy serves roughly 490,000 electric and 225,000 natural gas customers in Iowa as part of its mission to deliver the energy solutions and exceptional service on which its customers depend. In 2019, Alliant made the largest single donation to CIRAS in the center’s history to support a new laboratory where manufacturers could experiment with new technologies to make them more productive. Iowa State University’s Digital Manufacturing Lab powered by Alliant Energy opened in September 2019 and continues to ensure that Iowa industry has access to solutions to de-risk technology adoption.
The Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) drives business growth in Iowa through shovel-ready sites, utility partnerships, financial incentives, and unmatched local connections. CIRAS and IADG partner in helping manufacturers identify and execute strategies to expand and deploy technology.
The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) has served as the state’s unified voice for business since 1903. ABI’s mission is to nurture a favorable business, economic, governmental and social climate within the state of Iowa so our citizens can have the opportunity to enjoy the highest possible quality of life. CIRAS and ABI partner on Collaboration Cohorts, the Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference, the Iowa Lean Consortium Conference, and additional educational events to build connections and capability across Iowa’s industrial ecosystem.
Community Colleges for Iowa is a nonprofit, volunteer membership association and the primary advocate for Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges. In addition to providing leadership on issues affecting the colleges, the organization acts as a statewide forum for the independent colleges to collaboration through leadership and affinity groups.
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DoT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, ensures that Disadvantaged Businesses are able to access resources and support for the Iowa highway construction industry.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) was created to strengthen Iowa’s economic vitality by encouraging new people and businesses to choose Iowa and by helping existing businesses and communities to thrive. CIRAS leaders work closely with IEDA officials to shape and implement policies aimed at growing Iowa’s advanced manufacturing and Bioscience industries.
The Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa program is designed to help increase the enterprise value of new and existing businesses in Iowa’s small towns through a program of business education, mentoring, and the financial resources to help businesses grow.
The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce supports the QC Manufacturing Hub and the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance, along with a variety of small business and professional networking and development programs.
Iowa State University Resources
CIRAS works with faculty and staff across Iowa State University to bring a wide variety of expertise to the center’s clients. Depending on individual needs, CIRAS can help companies find access to testing laboratories, arrange faculty research, or help them hire Iowa State students. Iowa State entities that work closely with CIRAS include:
Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension and Outreach – CIRAS partners with ANR Extension to serve food, feed, and biotechnology businesses in Iowa through technical and management support for food safety, training, certifications, and more.
America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa offers personalized, confidential, and no-cost business counseling to small business owners and entrepreneurs in Iowa. America’s SBDC Iowa serves all 99 Iowa Counties in Iowa through 15 regional centers across the state.
Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR)’s mission is to identify, coordinate, facilitate and foster mission-oriented interdisciplinary research, development, technology transfer, and commercialization activities that will increase and enhance utilization of Midwestern crops, and create new agricultural utilization enterprises in Iowa. Through their analytical labs, pilot plants, and fermentation facilities, CCUR helps food processing and biotechnology companies translate ideas to reality.
Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) is the premier U.S. research organization for the development and application of inspection and sensing technologies, with about 30 scientists and engineers, and a 52,000 sq. ft. facility. Extensive materials characterization studies and inspection system developments have been applied and implemented for metals, ceramics, and composites of interest to a number of industrial sectors.
College of Engineering (COE) has more than 8,000 students across 15 undergraduate majors and 38 advanced degree programs. CIRAS partners with the College of Engineering to improve connections between students, faculty, and staff with Iowa industry through internships, student projects, educational opportunities, and research collaborations.
Economic Development and Industry Relations assists external stakeholders, both individuals and companies, in connecting with appropriate university specialists who can offer business and technical assistance, research and development, access to facilities (including the ISU Research Park, laboratories, and equipment), and assistance with workforce development.
Engineering Career Services – CIRAS actively works with Iowa companies to promote the hiring of Iowa State’s student engineers. Career Services can assist CIRAS clients in recruiting for internships or permanent employment, including arranging a presence for your company at Iowa State’s twice-yearly career fairs.
The Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP) is more than a research hub—it’s a dynamic innovation community designed for businesses to develop, test, and scale their ideas by tapping into an exceptionally skilled workforce and leveraging Iowa State University’s extensive resources. CIRAS and the Research Park partner to develop new ways to connect with ISU and business resources.
Ivy College of Business – CIRAS and the Ivy College of Business collaborate on a range of professional opportunities including the Ivy Sales Summit, Ivy Custom Education, the Voorhees Supply Chain Conference, and more.
Meat Science Extension – Iowa State’s Meat Science Laboratory is a federally-inspected facility with the capability for slaughtering and complete processing of meat animals and poultry. Meat Science Extension uses the lab regularly to provide Iowa businesses with educational programming about the best and safest ways to process meat for sale, distribution, and consumption.
The Office of Innovation Commercialization leads the Iowa State University Research Foundation (ISURF) and Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (OIPTT) to facilitate and enhance the inventive and creative works of ISU’s employees and students, and to transfer these works for the benefit of society. CIRAS collaborates with the OIC to facilitate faculty research and technology partnerships with ISU.
Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship helps Iowa State students, faculty, and alumni along with Iowan innovators and business owners succeed in entrepreneurship.
Polymer and Food Protection Consortium – A multidisciplinary, centralized hub for companies and state regulators to receive independent reviews of packaging. CIRAS helps clients access consortium resources to study and improve food packaging for a competitive advantage.
Structural Engineering Research Laboratory – The 6,900-square-foot laboratory includes a 20-ton overhead crane, numerous hydraulic actuators, and several large testing floors where researchers test bridge loads and search for new methods for making structures safer and more cost-efficient. CIRAS can help clients access this equipment for testing a variety of products, parts, or equipment. CIRAS experts then will work closely with companies to interpret test data and make any changes that are required once the results are known.
CIRAS-Led Programs and Networks
Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) – A program of CIRAS, the Iowa Lean Consortium is a member-driven network that helps organizations strengthen performance through continuous improvement and Lean practices. Members gain access to expert-led learning, practical tools, and peer connections across industries.
Digital Manufacturing Lab powered by Alliant Energy – Located at the Iowa State University Research Park, the Digital Manufacturing Lab powered by Alliant Energy provides a hands-on environment where manufacturers can explore and test advanced manufacturing technologies before implementing them in their facilities. Through demonstrations, applied research, and collaboration with CIRAS experts and Iowa State University faculty, the lab helps companies de-risk technology adoption and accelerate digital transformation.
Collaboration Cohorts – Developed in partnership with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), these cohorts bring leaders from Iowa businesses together in small peer groups to share challenges, exchange ideas, and implement practical improvements in areas such as marketing, human resources, and operational performance.