Santa Fe Institute Business Network

Since its inception in 1984, the Santa Fe Institute has become the acknowledged leader in multidisciplinary scientific research and the founding institution of complexity science. While "complex systems" and "multidisciplinary" research have become everyday terms in less than two decades, we still find that SFI’s style of mixing people from all disciplines and across various international and business communities is unique.

The Business Network provides numerous opportunities for companies and organizations to engage in cross-industry, collaborative discussion, stay abreast of research activities, and initiate and participate in SFI's Topical Meetings and workshops.

Benefits of membership include:

• Attend at the Annual Business Network and Board of Trustees' Symposium, held each November.
• Participate in two annual “Theme Weeks” at SFI.
• Attend Business Network Topical Meetings on subjects of interest suggested by members. Topical Meetings are held throughout the year and at a variety of locations.
• Admission to SFI’s highly competitive Complex Systems Summer Schools in Santa Fe.
• The opportunity to spend up to four weeks at SFI via the Business Network Fellowship Program.
• Receive monthly electronic updates and announcements.
• Receive access to the Business Network community website CASITA (Complex Adaptive Systems IT Area).
• Receive select volumes and articles published throughout the year by SFI and SFI-affiliated authors.
• Receive DVDs of selected events including Public Lectures and Topical Meetings.
• Receive hard copies of each SFI Working Paper immediately upon publication (approximately 55 per year).

Membership Fee

The annual fee for membership in the SFI Business Network is $40,000, and membership in the network is limited to 60 organizations. Some companies give additional support for specific research themes, researchers, and equipment. In addition, there are recruitment and collaborative research opportunities via the Santa Fe Institute extended research network which includes hundreds of top scientists from around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I join the Business Network?
A: To join the Business Network, please send an email expressing your interest in Membership to Shannon Larsen . Memberships are for a 12-month period, commencing upon receipt of the membership fee.

Q: How do most members maximize their investment in SFI and the Business Network?
A: An important criterion for successful membership is interest on the part of the participating member organization. One individual from each member company is designated as the primary representative. This representative receives all mailings, subscriptions, and announcements. But to be beneficial, the interaction needs to be two-way. The representative, along with other interested individuals from the company, are encouraged to attend SFI sponsored Topical Meetings and the Santa Fe Institute's Complex Systems Summer School (CSSS). Occasionally, a researcher from one of our member organizations will come to the Institute and spend a day here, meeting with SFI researchers to discuss topics of mutual interest. Many members maintain contact with each other through e-mail and phone conversations, and in some instances, meetings among member companies.

Q: What is the profile of a typical member?
A: Business Network members include companies and organizations from diverse industries and government agencies around the world. Industrial research laboratories, manufacturing companies, financial institutions, and several sectors of high tech have been drawn to SFI. What unites all members is a desire to learn about the catalytic research that occurs here, and to discuss, in cross-industry groups, how results may be applied in their areas of interest.

Q: What is "complex systems research?"
A: The study of nonlinear, interactive systems from which interesting and unpredictable behavior emerges is the hallmark of the research that is pursued at SFI. This includes examining the dynamics of these 'complex systems' and how the systems evolve. The work is basic, theoretical science. Organizations that join the Business Network are often involved in applied research areas that have their roots in, or can be informed by, the work being performed at SFI. The Business Network provides a bridge between SFI's basic research and the applied work in which our members are engaged.

Q: How does SFI deal with intellectual property?
A: If an organization wishes to work with an SFI researcher on a specific project of mutual interest, the researcher brokers that relationship and the organization on terms decided by the two parties (e.g., independent contractor, consultant, non-disclosure, etc.).

Q: Can members send a researcher to SFI?
A: Yes, in fact members are encouraged to submit an application for the SFI sponsored Business Network Fellowship. In addition, visits to the Institute by Business Network members can be arranged.

The Business Network Fellowship is open to individuals from member companies of the Santa Fe Institute Business Network. The position allows an individual up to four weeks over a two-year period to pursue research congruent to the research of the Santa Fe Institute. read more...

Shannon Larsen, Executive Director, Development and Corporate Relations
Santa Fe Institute
1399 Hyde Park Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501 USA
Telephone: (505) 946-2726
Fax: (505) 982-0565
Email: