Purdue@DC Will Hold Info Session on Intergovernmental Personnel Act Agreements (IPAs)
Purdue@DC will present an information session to introduce Purdue faculty to the opportunities afforded by Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreements, or IPAs. These agreements allow temporary personnel assignments from universities to posts within the Federal government. Mark Lewis, CEO of the Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI) and a former IPA, will lead a lunch discussion on Thurs., April 4 at 12 noon in Stewart Center 310. Interested faculty should RSVP to the lunch here.
Lewis has worked in various areas within the Department of Defense under an IPA agreement while a member of the University of Maryland faculty. During his information session, faculty can learn more about IPAs, including:
- Enhanced impact and reputational subject matter expert growth
- A chance to influence national decision-making
- Uninterrupted Purdue employment and benefits
IPAs offer faculty the opportunity to share their unique subject matter expertise with Federal agencies to help solve problems, assist with technology integration, and contribute to the development and implementation of policies and programs. IPAs build recognition for their expertise, enhance the University’s influence, and offer service to the country while maintaining university employment.
Since 2014, 34 different Purdue faculty have received 55 IPA awards. The largest number have been with the National Science Foundation. IPA agreements have included assignments with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Security Agency, NASA, State Department, Office of Science Technology Policy, U.S. Military Academy, the Department of Veterans Affairs and various VA medical centers.
Through the Purdue@DC initiative, Purdue seeks to expand its presence and contributions in Washington. Faculty engagement in IPA agreements offers one approach to this, as does expert testimony and service on advisory boards.