FAQs

Industry Partnership

Who can be a SENTRY industry partner?

U.S.-based* companies or organizations that align with the SENTRY mission of protecting soft targets and crowded places and advance the SENTRY mission of developing a Virtual SENTRY Framework. We welcome a wide variety of organizations from small start-ups to industry leaders.

* Non-U.S.-based companies will be considered for Industry Partnership on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable U. S. Federal rules and regulations.

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Why should my company become a partner?

There are many reasons why a company may choose to become a partner.

The partnership provides many tangible benefits, such as;

• Networking opportunities with other industries, government, labs, and DHS components
• Invitations to present and participate in workshops, conferences, stakeholder meetings, and SENTRY research project reviews
• Access to high-level security experts in key soft targets venues such as schools, sports arenas, and malls through the SENTRY Practitioner Advisory Board (PAB)
• Use of SENTRY test bed facilities and data sets
• Participation in focus groups, brainstorming sessions, case studies, and product demonstrations
• Collaborative opportunities with SENTRY researchers
• Access to students for internships, co-op, and hiring opportunities

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How do I become a partner?

Please contact our Industry Liaison, Desiree Linson at d.linson@northeastern.edu.

I have an existing project that I would like the center to research, can I request specific work?

Funds can only be directed toward non-proprietary research. If you have a non-proprietary research project that is a specifically defined product or service deliverable to your organization, the Industry Liaison will develop a separate agreement to support this work.

How is intellectual property that derives from core research handled?

All patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and trademarks that result from core (non-proprietary) projects belong to Northeastern University and/or other institutions that are partnered with SENTRY.  

Industry Partners are encouraged to develop royalty-bearing licenses for intellectual property developed from the non-proprietary research being conducted by SENTRY and its affiliates. Licenses obtained allow partners the right to sub-license to subsidiaries.

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Is there a fee for becoming a partner?

Industry Partners are invaluable in transitioning technology, advancing the SENTRY research mission, and contributing financially to our research through donations.

These donations supplement the core funding provided by DHS, help with administrative expenses, and allow the expansion of the SENTRY research mission.  Please contact the Industry Partnership Liaison for more information on annual donation levels and becoming a Partner.

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