In addition to PRCI’s traditional membership‑based research model—where research is collaboratively developed, funded, and executed through technical committees—PRCI offers several alternative collaborative research structures. These approaches provide flexibility for addressing emerging, specialized, or time‑sensitive challenges that may not align with the scope, timing, or governance of the standard committee‑driven program. 

PRCI’s alternative collaborative research framework includes Research Institutes, Research Consortia, and Joint Industry Projects (JIPs). Each structure is designed to support a different type of collaboration while leveraging PRCI’s experience in research governance, execution, and industry engagement. 

PRCI Research Institutes are long‑term, member‑driven research programs organized around high‑priority thematic challenges facing the global pipeline industry. Institutes operate under a formal charter and bring together participating members to define multi‑year research roadmaps, establish governance, and guide research investment in a focused and strategic manner. 

Institutes are governed by participating members using structured decision‑making, typically through majority voting, and are supported through pooled funding that is separate from PRCI’s standard membership subscriptions. 

PRCI Research Institutes may be structured using one of two funding models: 

• Open Institutes: Participation is subscription‑based, with research outcomes shared broadly across applicable PRCI membership once deliverables are completed.
• Closed Institutes: Funded through supplemental, pooled contributions, with access to research results limited to participating members for a defined period, as outlined in the institute charter.

How this differs from PRCI’s traditional model: Unlike PRCI’s committee‑based research program, which spans a broad range of topics across multiple technical committees, a Research Institute concentrates resources and governance on a single strategic theme over multiple years, providing participating members greater influence over research direction, prioritization, and funding decisions. 

The PRCI Emerging Fuels Institute (EFI) is a member‑driven research institute focused on enabling the safe, reliable, and cost‑effective transportation of emerging fuels—including hydrogen, CO₂, renewable natural gas, and future energy carriers—through existing and future pipeline infrastructure. EFI brings together operators, technology providers, and research organizations to collaboratively address technical, regulatory, and operational challenges shaping the energy transition. 

PRCI Research Consortia are project‑ or program‑specific collaborations funded through supplemental contributions outside of PRCI’s standard subscription research. Consortia are established under a Consortium Charter and the contracts are managed by PRCI, enabling a defined group of participants to initiate and execute focused research efficiently while maintaining flexibility over scope, funding, and intellectual property. 

Consortia may include PRCI members, non‑members, or a combination of both, depending on the objectives of the collaboration. PRCI provides the administrative, contracting, governance, and project management framework, allowing participants to focus on technical outcomes rather than legal and operational complexity. 

A Joint Industry Project (JIP) is a stand‑alone collaborative research effort established and governed by a defined group of participating organizations. JIPs are formed outside of PRCI’s standard research programs and operate under their own legal agreements, governance structures, and execution frameworks, which are defined directly by the project participants. 

While PRCI does not manage Joint Industry Projects, it may participate in JIPs through direct research funding, cooperative agreements, or memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with project sponsors or executing organizations. In these cases, PRCI’s participation supports shared research objectives, coordination with related PRCI research activities, and knowledge exchange, while ownership, governance, and control of the JIP remain with the project sponsors. 

How this differs from PRCI’s traditional model: Joint Industry Projects operate independently of PRCI’s membership, committee governance, and research portfolio. Participation, access to results, and intellectual property are defined solely by the agreements among JIP participants. 

Interested in participating in an existing PRCI Research Institute or consortium, or exploring the formation of a new PRCI‑managed consortium? Connect with the PRCI Research team for availability and information.