SPARC connects industrial partners from small, medium, and large companies with CCM’s multidisciplinary research teams to solve real-world challenges in composite materials, while promoting commercialization, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.

Key Benefits for Partners

• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert guidance in composites design, manufacturing, and testing.
• Collaborative, industry-focused research projects tailored to each partner’s technical challenges.
• Co-development of next-generation materials, processes, and tools.
• Internships and training opportunities for students and early-career engineers.
• Early insights into internal R&D, emerging technologies and innovations including the next-gen AI-enabled discoveries and development.
• Networking with leading academics and industrial innovators across multiple sectors.
• Opportunities to participate in workshops, seminars, and technology translation activities.

Learn More About SPARC

CCM’s industry partnerships provide a unique platform to:

• Collaborate with top researchers in materials science, mechanics, and manufacturing.
• Access cutting-edge labs, instrumentation, and pilot-scale facilities.
• Influence the next generation of engineers and innovators.
• Stay connected with newsletters, CCM Connects, meeting reviews, and social media updates.
• Leverage over 50 years of composites experience to accelerate solutions for industry R&D needs

Industrial Sponsors & Consortium History

For nearly 50 years, CCM has built a robust network of industrial sponsors, advancing composite research while addressing real-world industrial challenges.

A Legacy of Collaboration

• In 1978, CCM launched its University-Industry Consortium, one of the first formal frameworks in the U.S. linking academia and industry.
• Early members helped shape research priorities, leading to innovations in materials design, processing, and structural performance.
• Over decades, hundreds of companies from aerospace, automotive, infrastructure, and consumer sectors have collaborated with CCM to co-create knowledge and technology.

Impact Across Generations

• Trained thousands of engineers and scientists, many now leading industrial innovation worldwide.
• Provided exclusive access to facilities, research expertise, and emerging technologies for partners.
• Laid the foundation for SPARC, CCM’s flagship program connecting partners with high-impact, targeted research teams.