University Partnerships
Freeport's UTeams and AIM Fellowship programs connect academia and industry by fostering faculty development, advancing research and education, and building strong university partnerships that grow future talent and innovation in mining.
UTeams: Bridging the mining industry and higher education.
UTeams (University / Higher Education Leadership Teams) are Freeport’s internal structure to manage outreach, partnerships, and relationships with target universities. Each UTeam is responsible for one or more universities, coordinating strategy, engagement, and support in line with business and academic needs.
Through structured alliances, UTeams deepen the collaboration between industry and academia, support mining-related education, and build a pipeline of skilled graduates ready to contribute to the needs of the industry.
Strengthen higher education partnerships and align with business needs.
UTeam helps build relationships with universities that reflect Freeport’s strategic priorities and support long-term collaboration.
Create value-added
relationships with universities
Freeport aims to build a mutually beneficial relationship in which institutions are assisted in achieving their aims, while helping Freeport meet future talent, research and strategic needs.
Support education and research in mining-related fields
Through UTeam, Freeport invests in curricula, projects, and faculty efforts that advance knowledge in mining, process engineering, and related disciplines.
Build student and faculty
engagement
Through active engagement with student groups and faculty, as well as involvement in campus events, Freeport hopes to maintain presence, rapport and relevance to the academic community.
Enhance talent pipeline
Freeport aims to identify top students early, and assist them in developing their careers through internships, and other efforts designed to present Freeport as an employer of choice among emerging talent.
AIM Fellowship
The AIM Fellowship places university faculty in mining-related fields in projects that support Freeport’s U.S. operations. Fellows gain hands-on learning that they can take back to their classrooms when working with the next generation of the mining workforce.
- Fellowships are full-time, seasonal experiences
- Opportunities to be placed at specific Freeport sites based on geographic, research and experiential preferences
- Fellowships are compensated, and housing and travel support is provided.
- Fellowships conclude with end-of-fellowship presentation and classroom knowledge transfer
Industry experience
Fellows will participate in a full-time, paid fellowship that provides them with industry experience.
Partnership and engagement
A Fellow’s research and experiential preferences will be taken into account when placing them with industry professionals.
Program history
The AIM Fellowship started in 2017. Through the summer of 2025, more than 20 Fellows have participated in the experience from ten universities.
End-of-fellowship goals
Fellows have the opportunity to share their experience with Freeport leadership and discuss how they plan to integrate learning into their classroom and mentoring work at their university.
Application process
Please review the AIM Fellowship Overview for more details and application information (updated by Q3 of each year).