The University of Rhode Island has received $2.5 million from the U.S. Office of Naval Research to advance the next phase of RISE-UP. The award will expand the programming that powers URI Innovations’ work in entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and venture development.
The Regional Innovation by Scaling Entrepreneurship via University Partnerships (RISE-UP) initiative supports URI Innovations in helping researchers, students, faculty, and entrepreneurs move promising technologies toward commercial and real-world applications. The new funding will expand that work with a focus on dual-use technologies relevant to maritime, energy, and national security challenges.
Building on a growing RISE-UP network
More than 300 innovators across Rhode Island, Alaska, and Hawai‘i have participated in RISE-UP programming to date. The next phase will build on that foundation through hands-on training, mentorship, commercialization support, and early-stage venture development. These efforts are designed to help advance technologies with both military and civilian applications.
“This award reflects the momentum URI has built in connecting research, entrepreneurship, and strategic industry partnerships to address critical national challenges,” said Peter Rumsey, associate vice president for economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship at URI. “Through RISE-UP and the work of URI Innovations, the University has created proven pathways that help researchers, students, and innovators translate promising technologies into real-world solutions.”
URI PIE-D trainees become familiar with REGENT Craft’s vessels, Fall 2025. PIE-D is a semester-long, credit-bearing program through RISE-UP that provides real-life problem-solving and hands-on training designed for undergraduate and graduate students. (URI Photos/Gina Lopardo)
Expanding infrastructure and partnerships
RISE-UP has also helped establish infrastructure and partnerships that extend beyond individual programs. The initiative contributed to the development of the Ocean Technology Center testbed at URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus. It has also strengthened URI’s collaboration with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport.
Beyond Rhode Island, the initiative connects URI with partners in Alaska and Hawai‘i. Together, the three-state network supports technology development and workforce capabilities across maritime and defense sectors.
Scaling the next phase
With the new funding, RISE-UP will expand the programs and resources available through URI Innovations. That means more opportunities for researchers and entrepreneurs to develop technologies, evaluate commercial pathways, and build relationships with industry and government partners.
RISE-UP 4.0 represents the next stage of that work. It will increase URI’s capacity to move research toward application while developing the ventures, technologies, and technical talent that support Rhode Island’s maritime and defense industries.