BRIEF • April 2026• by Rachel Ruggirello, Elizabeth Day, Bailey Bontrager, & Kim Wright
This NNERPP University Brokers Subnetwork Research Brief addresses a significant evolution in the role of brokers and their engagement in activities that fall outside the current framework used to represent this work. The Subnetwork identified that brokers are increasingly required to provide intellectual and financial leadership, often serving as PIs or Co-PIs to ensure project stability when faculty or district leadership changes. The ability to be responsive in shifting sociopolitical contexts speaks to the significant impact of boundary-crossing work, such as meeting in person with district partners, on the resiliency of the partnership.