ENGineering for Innovation & ENtrepreneurship (ENGINE) Grants The Penn State Fund for Innovation is committed to fostering the translation of basic research into technologies that show immediate potential for broad commercial impact. ENGINE grants will provide financial support to transition early stage research results through a proof-of-concept phase, with the ultimate objective of forming a start-up company or licensing the technology to an established business. Successful applicants will also participate in a proof-of-relevance market analysis with the Smeal College of Business to assess the commercial viability of the technology. The College of Engineering (COE) will solicit entrepreneurs and industry experts to advise project teams on planned proof-of-concept prototypes as well as to identify potential markets and evaluate competing technologies. Proposals are being solicited for Year 3 of the program aimed at advancing the technological development of the most commercially promising research being directed by COE faculty. These grants support President Barron s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship at Penn State [1]. Funds are available for up to three (3) COE ENGINE Grants in 2017. The Penn State Research Foundation (PSRF) Fund will provide matching of $1 for every $2 provided by the COE, up to a maximum of $75K total investment per project. These projects must involve at least one COE tenure-line faculty member at University Park campus. This year, additional funds are available to support up to two (2) cross-college innovation and entrepreneurship grants that must include at least one tenure-line faculty member from COE and at least one tenure-line faculty member from a non-coe college that participates in the Fund for Innovation program. The PSRF Fund will provide matching of $1 for every $1 provided by the colleges, up to a maximum of $75K total investment per project. Both colleges must approve the proposal and provide half of the college-level funding. After completing the proof-of-concept phase, successful applicants will be eligible to compete for additional funding for company formation. Eligibility for future funding will be contingent on completing TechCelerator [2] or an equivalent training program. Application Process Successful applications must clearly explain how ENGINE funding will significantly advance existing research results and/or intellectual property (IP) toward commercialization by advancing the technology readiness level (TRL) through a successful proof-of-concept prototype demonstration. The application should provide sufficient background to demonstrate the commercial potential of the early-state research result, and to explain how the proposed proof-ofconcept prototype will: (1) advance the IP or technology toward a commercial product, process, or service; or (2) enhance its value for licensing to a start-up or an established company. The application should describe how the team plans to create, deliver, and capture value from the IP or research technology. An overall strategy and plan for commercialization should be included in the application (see Appendix A). Funding will not be provided for basic research nor to an existing company. Eligible projects must begin from research that is already at a TRL2 to TRL5 (see Appendix B). Both hardware and virtual IP or know-how embodied in software information processes or services will be considered for funding. 1 http://invent.psu.edu/ 2 http://www.techceleratorstatecollege.org/
Applications must include the following components: I. Title & Project Summary Page (1 page: see attached form) II. Proposal Narrative (5 pages maximum, 12 point single space font, 1 inch margins) Background Summarize the research progress to date, including a clear statement of the problem and the market opportunity the research is addressing. Technology development plan Outline the detailed technical plan to demonstrate a proof-of-concept prototype that will enhance the commercial potential of existing earlystage research toward a product, process, or service, including appropriate milestones and a schedule of deliverables. Commercialization strategy plan Describe the strategy and plan to commercialize the IP or research technology by addressing the questions in Appendix A. III. References IV. Investigator(s) CV Include a maximum two-page NSF-style CV for each investigator. V. Budget VI. Addenda (optional - 4 pages maximum) Gantt chart, figures, tables, schematics, diagrams, etc. (not required) Industry partner - letter of interest or collaboration (not required) Budget Projects should be one year or less in duration, and project budgets may not exceed a total cost of $75K. Supplemental salary is not permitted. A detailed budget with a written justification should be developed through the COE Grants and Contracts Office. Because this is internal funding, the budget does not include indirect costs. Standard fringe rates apply. The principal investigator of the ENGINE grant must be a tenure-system COE faculty member. If funding is requested for graduate student stipend or tuition, then the student must be a COE or Intercollege Graduate Degree Program student mentored by a COE faculty member. Evaluation Proposals will be evaluated on the commercialization potential and scientific merit. The Associate Dean for Innovation will form a committee of internal and external reviewers to evaluate proposals. Deadlines and Funding Dates Proposals must be submitted electronically as a single PDF file to the COE proposal submission website by 5:00 pm on November 23, 2016. Award notices will be made by December 15, 2016, and ENGINE projects will begin on January 3, 2016. Electronic Submission Website ENGINE submission website Timeline and Reporting Awardees will hold a project kick-off within the 1 st month of the project start. In the 4 th month of the project they will provide a one-page product data sheet and a brief presentation to both the
evaluation committee and a proof-of-relevance (POR) team from the Smeal College of Business. After the presentation, the POR team will assist with a market and industry analysis to help identify potential pathways for commercialization or licensing. Awardees are strongly encouraged to work closely with the business team to provide any marketing and industry insights that will help them assess pathways for commercialization or licensing. Awardees may also be asked to discuss their project with the press or media relations. A brief statement of completion must be delivered to the Associate Dean for Innovation at the end of the funding period. The statement should summarize the progress toward commercialization or enhancement of IP, achievement of the deliverables, and updates on industry partners or potential licensees. The statement is due to the Associate Dean within 30 days after the funding expires. Publications resulting from projects should acknowledge support from the Penn State COE ENGINE Grant Program. Questions A frequently asked questions page is available on the submission website. Other questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to Susie Sherlock (sjs10@psu.edu).
Appendix A. Commercialization Strategy Questions to Help Describe Commercialization Strategy Describe the product or process that will be developed from this technology. What are the primary markets that you are hoping to target with this innovative product or process? How do you envision that this product or process will be marketed? What is the price range for similar products or processes? Are there existing companies that are offering competitive products or processes? If so, what is the competitive advantage of your product? Has this technology been patented or protected, and if yes, who is the technology owner? Describe any partnerships or other relationships that might impact the commercial development of your product. Describe any established industry partnership. If none currently exist, the development of a partnership should be a deliverable for first year funding. Appendix B. Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) Technology Readiness Level TRL 1 TRL 2 TRL 3 TRL 4 TRL 5 TRL 6 TRL 7 TRL 8 TRL 9 Description Basic Research Stage - Basic principles are observed and reported. Scientific knowledge generated underpinning the technology concepts or applications. Invention Begins - Practical applications can be invented, but are speculative and there may be no proof or detailed analysis to support the assumptions. R&D Initiated - Analytical and laboratory studies to physically validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology that are not yet integrated. Basic technological components are integrated to establish that the pieces will work together. Basic technological components are integrated so it can be tested in a simulated environment. Model/prototype is tested in relevant environment such as a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in simulated operational environment. Demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment. Technology is proven to work - Actual technology completed and qualified through test and demonstration. Application of technology in its final form - Technology proven through successful operations. Adapted from: "Technology Readiness Assessment Guide (DOE G 413.3-4)". United States Department of Energy, Office of Management. October 12, 2009.
PROGRAM TITLE Instructions: The summary is limited to 250 words. The names of the Principal Investigator and all project personnel with their academic or staff rank and affiliated units should be listed in addition to the title of the project. The project summary section should be divided equally between research details and commercialization approach. Title: Participant: Rank: Department or Unit: PI: Project Summary