NEW USTAR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION GRANT PROGRAM
Deadline: September 15, 2009
The Utah Science Technology And Research (USTAR) program has recently made available $1,200,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to the University of Utah. These funds are for the specific purpose of funding the newly created USTAR Technology Commercialization Grant (TCG) program. The USTAR TCG program is designed to assist inventors and researchers in the final stages of idea implementation and to drive the commercialization of technology forward. Therefore, the grants will support translational research in all areas and novel technology development with commercialization potential. The USTAR TCG program will support research projects that are most likely to generate patents, technology licenses, and product commercialization in the short-term.
Because the goals of the new USTAR TCG program are similar to those of existing university commercialization grant programs and because the USTAR funded TCG program is expected to be in place only until the ARRA funds are exhausted, the University of Utah has chosen to distribute the funds via existing programs, with a final review and approval by the USTAR General Authority. Some of the USTAR TCG funds will be distributed through the university’s Technology Commercialization Office and some via the application and review mechanism used for the Technology Commercialization Program (TCP). Link here to the TCO website.
Applying for USTAR TCG funding via the Technology Commercialization Program (TCP):
Overview: TCP grants are limited to $35,000 annual funding and may be competitively renewed for a second year. The USTAR TCG program will allow up to $65,000 for one year only (non-renewable) for first-year TCP projects. Renewal TCP (second-year) projects are not eligible. To submit a proposal for the USTAR TCG program, you must first submit a TCP proposal and add a separate USTAR TCG budget with justification. A fully funded TCP/USTAR TCG grant could, therefore, receive a total of $100,000. Funded projects would be eligible to compete for a second-year (renewal) of only TCP funding.
Eligibility for USTAR TCG funding: Eligibility requirements for USTAR TCG and university TCP funding are identical, except that faculty who have previously received any salary or research support from USTAR funds are ineligible to apply for the USTAR TCG funds.
Instructions for USTAR TCG Applications: To apply for USTAR TCG funding you must also apply for first-year TCP funding. Please go to the Vice President for Research Website: http://www.research.utah.edu/funding/tcp.htm and follow the TCP application instructions. On the “Cover Sheet,” check new application for TCP and check USTAR TCG. After the TCP budget page (limited to $35,000), add one page for the USTAR TCG budget (for up to $65,000) with budget justification.
Review Process for USTAR TCG Applications: All applications submitted for TCP only or TCP + USTAR TCG funding will undergo identical initial reviews. All proposals recommended for TCP funding that have also requested USTAR TCG funding will be forwarded to the USTAR General Authority for their consideration for funding.
If you have questions regarding the USTAR TCG application process, please contact Angela Allen (801.581.7236) in the Office of the Vice President for Research.