LINC focuses on identifying interdisciplinary connections like those shown in this poster showing ties to SDG 3. Photo Credit: Shelly Gustafson
The University of Minnesota is pleased to launch Learn-Innovate-Network-Collaborate (LINC)—a strategic network designed to connect the University of Minnesota’s (UMN) hundreds of specialized centers and institutes. LINC aims to span the traditional academic "silos" that often hinder large-scale innovation, creating a unified ecosystem where ideas, information, and resources flow freely across all colleges, centers, and campuses.
A roomful of UMN leaders attended the March 2 kickoff event. Photo Credit: Shelly Gustafson
Kickoff Event Marks Successful Launch
The new initiative was formally introduced during a kickoff event held on March 2, 2026, at Walter Library. This gathering brought together 75 participants from across the University, including systemwide center and institute leaders who participated in collaborative "World Café" discussions. These conversations were designed to share solutions for common challenges such as navigating administrative complexities and identifying emerging funding opportunities. The event received high praise, with 95% of the participants expressing interest in attending future LINC events.
LINC’s mission is rooted in the belief that the UMN’s greatest competitive advantage lies in its diversity of expertise. By providing a formal infrastructure for coordination, the initiative will help faculty, directors, and others navigate the complexities of modern research. Key features include the utilization of knowledge maps to visualize UMN’s vast research landscape and the development of a centralized resource for institutional best practices. These tools are designed to streamline everything from budgeting to hiring, allowing researchers to spend less time on administrative friction and more time on high-impact, cross-disciplinary discovery.
"The strongest takeaway from our launch was that our centers should not be isolated; they are confronting shared structural barriers and could benefit from acting more collectively," said Tom Fisher, who facilitated sessions on sharing resources. "LINC provides the mechanism to turn that collective voice into an advocacy vehicle for modernizing our research development infrastructure.”
UMN leaders share their experiences during a breakout session. Photo Credit: Shelly Gustafson
Beyond internal logistics, LINC is a strategic move to position the University for larger, solutions-driven funding opportunities. By facilitating research summits and aligning center activities with the UMN systemwide strategic plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, LINC ensures that UMN teams are not just participating in the conversation, but leading them. Long-term the network will serve as a launchpad for interdisciplinary extramural funding bids, mobilizing resources to tackle society's most pressing challenges—from climate resilience to public health.
"LINC is becoming both a practical hub and a vehicle for advocacy," noted Melissa Mueller, LINC Managing Director. "By building bridges with the community, across the University, and policymakers, we are ensuring our researchers have the strategic intelligence and connections they need to compete on a global scale and have meaningful impact."
As LINC begins to scale existing high-impact efforts, it sets the stage for the UMN to serve as a national and global model for solutions-focused engagement. By turning collaboration into a measurable competitive advantage, the University is ensuring that UMN doesn't just hold its top-tier ranking, but continues to redefine what is possible when a world-class institution truly works as one.