Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 08:47:46 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Accelerating Innovation Research (AIR)
Accelerating Innovation Research (AIR)
This is an NSF Program Announcements and Information item.
Synopsis of Program:
To accelerate the process of innovation, NSF is undertaking two related, new activities. The first will encourage the translation of the numerous, technologically-promising, fundamental discoveries made by NSF researchers, while drawing upon and building the entrepreneurial spirit of the researchers and students. The second activity will foster connections between an existing NSF innovation research alliance (including consortia such as Engineering Research Centers (ERC), Industry University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC), Partnerships for Innovation (PFI), Science and Technology Centers (STC), Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC), Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) grantees) and other institutions, whose complementary focus will spur the development of discoveries into innovative technologies through collaboration. Both of these activities are designed to strengthen the U.S. innovation ecosystem.
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Directorate for Engineering (ENG) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) invites requests for funding under the Accelerating Innovation Research solicitation. The goals of this program are to spur translation of fundamental research, to encourage collaboration between academia and industry, and to train students who understand innovation and entrepreneurship.
The two options available for requesting funding from NSF are described below:
1. Technology Translation Plan Competition (Option 1)
The Technology Translation Plan Competition is designed to support innovative ideas in the translation of fundamental science and engineering discoveries into commercial reality. Outcomes of this competition will be more discoveries on the path to becoming new technologies, and the engagement of faculty and students in entrepreneurial/innovative thinking.
This solicitation provides an opportunity for investigators to complete the necessary research (such as prototyping and/or scale-up of production) and prepare a Technology Translation Plan for their new product or process concept. The NSF award will require an individual investigator to generate a plan for bringing to market a concept for which the basic research has previously been accomplished. Proposals will include a Preliminary Technology Translation Plan (PTTP). The plans will be reviewed by a panel of academic and business experts and awards will be made based on merit and the acceptable achievement of defined milestones (described in detail in a later section).
Awardees will later deliver a Final Technology Translation Plan (FTTP) that includes a technology demonstration suitable to attract subsequent funding for further development and commercialization.
The Technology Translation Plan Competition is intended to help bridge the funding gap between research that validates relevant science and engineering fundamentals and the commercialization of a new technology.
The maximum award size for the PTTP Competition is $300,000 for up to 2 years per award, commensurate with the planned activities. Third party investment (1:1) is required for budget requests in excess of $150,000.
The maximum award size for the FTTP, submitted as a supplement to the original award, is $50,000.
2. Research Alliance Competition (Option 2)
The Research Alliance competition is intended to foster a collaborative effort between an NSF-funded innovation research alliance (including consortia such as ERC, I/UCRC, PFI, STC, NSEC, MRSEC grantees) and at least one partner entity to form a synergistic relationship that will accelerate the innovation of a product, a process or system. The ideal partnership would be one that ultimately leverages the collaborative relationship developed under the grant to strengthen the innovation ecosystem. The collaboration would link multiple entities such that research results are more rapidly moved into marketable products through the creation of new start-up businesses or partnerships with existing businesses. The grant may be used to fund translational research necessary to bring a particular technology from either the research alliance or the partner entity to market, or to fund infrastructure, such as a rapid prototype facility, that would enable technologies to be more rapidly commercialized. An Option 2 award will enable 1) faster translation of research and/or technology (ies) into new start up business (es) or existing firms; 2) development of a network of connections between university researchers and others leading to an innovation ecosystem; 3) creation of jobs as a result of the innovation ecosystem; and 4) the preparation of students who understand innovation and entrepreneurship.
The award will be up to $1,000,000 per grant, for up to 2 years duration commensurate with the planned activities. Third party investment (1:1) is required.
Third Party Investment:
In order for innovation research to be successful, it is essential that a third party investment is in place as a means to accelerate the innovation toward commercialization of a product, process, or service. The partnership between the NSF-funded academic entity and the third party investor will create an academic entity based innovation ecosystem that offers a cost-effective, timely, and risk-reduced approach for potential investors to participate in the development of new technologies, products, and services having potentially high commercial impact. Market research, advertising, patent applications, and refining of the business plan are good examples of uses of the third party investment.
The eligible outside third party investments consist of investments from industrial partners, venture capitalists, angel investors, customers, and contracts from State and Federal Governments directly tied to the research project envisioned by the application.
The third party investment can be cash, liquid assets, or tangible financial instruments. Intangible assets (e.g. "in-kind") are also acceptable.
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