The National Science Foundation-sponsored Engineering Research Centers (NSF ERCs) are a group of engineering systems-focused, interdisciplinary centers located at universities all across the United States, each in close partnership with industry. Since the ERC Program was founded in 1985, the NSF ERCs collectively have brought significant changes in the culture of academic engineering research and education. This Best Practices Manual was authored independently by staff of the NSF ERCs and is updated by them periodically. It is not an NSF publication and does not necessarily reflect official NSF policy. The document is intended as a "how-to" manual for those involved in, or contemplating involvement in, the operation of an NSF ERC or similar university-industry center. The chapters, presented as separate links below, are organized according to management roles and functional areas in an NSF ERC.