The goal of the Institute is to partner with Penn State’s interdisciplinary research institutes and academic colleges to advance the University strategic priorities by:

• Promoting innovation with research partners by developing new solutions, sharing knowledge and insights with industry partners, and advocating for policies that support innovation.
• Supporting sustainability research that develops new materials, systems, and technologies that reduce environmental impact and improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
• Enhancing the built environment by improving the safety and comfort of buildings, promoting social inclusion, and supporting economic development in the surrounding community.
• Educating the next generation through training programs, offering internships and apprenticeships, and supporting research by students and early-career researchers.

“Penn State is committed to collaborating across academic disciplines and partnering with industry to prepare our students for lifelong success, produce career-ready graduates, and develop the next generation of business leaders. Peter and Sharon’s transformational gift has set up the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation to harness the power of Penn State’s academic excellence and interdisciplinary research to foster innovation and assist our industry partners in staying on the cutting-edge of a changing world.”

— Neeli Bendapudi, Penn State President

The Institute aims to advance Penn State as a leader in interdisciplinary research for real estate innovation through the following:

• Sponsor cutting-edge research: fund Penn State’s top researchers to explore new concepts, methodologies, and technologies related to the built environment.
• Support technology commercialization: support the translation of Penn State research discoveries that impact real estate—including building materials, energy systems, and smart technologies that support sustainability.
• Collaborate with industry and academic partners: work closely with stakeholders such as real estate developers, architects, engineers, corporations, and researchers to exchange ideas and insights.
• Provide education and training: disseminate the Institute’s findings and insights to the broader community through training programs, workshops, seminars, and conferences.