Technology Maturation Fund Program

The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) is announcing a call for submissions for the sixth annual UTRF Maturation Funding program. Proposals are due into your Research Office (through TERA PAMS) by close of business October 16, 2012. The program helps UT researchers further develop technologies that have potential for commercial success. Up to $15,000 in direct costs will be awarded to the highest ranking proposals.

Guidelines

• Open to all UT researchers, faculty, staff and students at all campuses and institutes.
• Projects must be related to an existing UT invention/creation disclosure, OR a proposal can be accompanied by a new UT invention/creation disclosure.
• All proposals should generate new data that validate the technology and increase its commercial readiness. They should clearly describe how the expected results will increase the commercial opportunities for the technology.
• Proposals that only generate basic research results should not be submitted.
• Identification of potential commercial partners for collaboration on this proposal is encouraged.

Proposal Requirements

• Proposals should describe the technology and its existing data, plan of work, expected results, budget, and an assessment of how the expected results will increase the commercial opportunities for the technology.
• Funds should be directed to labor, materials, and services necessary to achieve the proposed deliverable(s). Indirect costs are not allowed.
• Funds may not be used for PI salary, but may be used for student, post doc, or technical staff support.
• Proposal should not exceed 3 pages, excluding references, which may be included as a 1-page appendix. Therefore, the proposal plus the appendix must not exceed 4 pages.
• Proposal should be received by the campus-specific research office (through TERA PAMS) by close of business October 16, 2012.

Judging Criteria

A panel of technical and business experts from inside and outside of the university will rank-order projects based on the following criteria:

• Demonstration of a path for commercial development
• Market potential
• Stage of development

Having the faculty involved in the commercialization of new discoveries is important to fulfilling the research mission of the College of Medicine. By translating research breakthroughs into commercial products, we increase treatment options and improve clinical care.
-David Stern, Executive Dean, UT College of Medicine

Deadlines

Proposal receipt by your Research Office	Oct. 16, 2012 at 5 p.m.
Awards announced	Nov. 16, 2012
Project start date	Dec. 10, 2012
Project completion date	Sept. 13, 2013
Final report due	October 11, 2013

Past Winners

To date more than $600,000 in awards has been made to nearly 50 projects.

• Complete list of past winners