Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Explore. Engage. Discover.

WARF proudly produces an extensive range of programs and events for innovators, inventors, researchers and investors that bridge disciplines, spark invention and connect UW-Madison with industry and community. No matter your age, experience, industry or field of study, there’s something that will catch your interest. Our programs span many disciplines and audience ranges, and there are a lot of them.

Through our programs, the Discovery Connections team also helps extend the university’s impact beyond the lab and into our community and around the state. We partner with researchers to develop Broader Impacts as part of their grant work.

Most WARF programs are held at the Town Center in the Discovery Building, which has hosted more than 650,000 visitors and over 17,000 events since 2011.

Sign up for emails about WARF programs and events    Visit the Discovery Building

Here’s a closer look at the different types of events:

Many WARF programs connect UW-Madison campus and industry through networking and discussions. Browse our upcoming events for Innovators, Investors and Researchers.

Encouraging creative and scientific exploration for future inventors is just one way that WARF supports future generations of scientists. Join us for upcoming events and programs for the K-12 Community.

We’re motivated to further innovative solutions and emerging technologies in our community. Bringing community into the conversations happening at UW-Madison helps us accomplish that. Browse upcoming events for Community Members.

Through our partnership with UW-Madison, our programs address topics that matter to our community and state and support Broader Impacts for research at the university.

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Programs for Innovators, Investors & Researchers

Entrepreneurons
Entrepreneurons
Practical advice and networking for entrepreneurs Co-produced by WARF and Discovery to Product (D2P), Entrepreneurons is a series focused on bringing the fundamentals of getting a new venture started to...

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WARF Essential Topics
WARF Essential Topics
About the Essential Topics Series WARF’s Essential Topics Series explores timely topics with a campus audience. Presentations have covered updates on relevant legislation such as the America Invents Act; others...

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Force for Positive Change
Force for Positive Change
Awards and event for organizations making a social impact in Wisconsin FORCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE CONFERENCE 2022: BUILDING RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Wednesday, November 16 |...

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UpStart
UpStart
A free entrepreneurship program for women and people of color  UPCOMING UPSTART SESSIONS The application period for Fall 2021/Cohort 16 is closed. Sign up to be notified when the...

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Wisconsin CleanTech Network
Wisconsin CleanTech Network
Networking and panel discussions around cleantech topics About the Wisconsin CleanTech Network Forums The CleanTech Network forums focus on the needs and challenges faced by entrepreneurs and others working in...

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Broader Impacts
Broader Impacts
WARF partners with the Morgridge Institute for Research, UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery on programs that help develop interest in science and creativity in K-12 students, educators and...

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K-12 Programs

Field Trips

Exploration workshops held in teaching labs at the Discovery Building and available for K-12 students.

Saturday Science

Free monthly series for kids and families that features interactive science learning through rotating exploration stations.

Wisconsin Science Festival

Discover the wonders of science, art and more.


Community Programs

Crossroads of Ideas

Monthly series addressing social science topics like politics, policy, ethics, public perceptions, law and science and society.

Force for Positive Change

An annual event celebrating organizations making an impact in Wisconsin with innovative solutions featuring talks on social innovation and entrepreneurship.

SoundWaves

Discussions conducted from the scientific angle and then through the lens of music with live classical performances.

Wisconsin Science Festival

An annual, statewide event that showcases wonders of scientific innovation and the arts through interactive exhibits.


Get Involved

Beyond these programs and events, there are plenty of ways that you can get involved with WARF including WARF Ambassadors. A program for graduate students and postdocs, WARF Ambassadors provides opportunities to learn more about patenting, invention licensing, tech transfer and other fields. Or, consider volunteering at the Discovery Building. The Discovery volunteer program welcomes people from all backgrounds to share their love of curiosity, creativity and service with others.

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation to attend an event, please contact our events team at [email protected], 608.316.4534. All accommodation requests should be made no less than two weeks before the event. We will attempt to fulfill requests made after this date, but cannot guarantee they will be met.

WARF