Program Description
The Technology Enhancement Grant (TEG) Program provides funding to North Carolina Universities or other research institutions in the state through their respective technology transfer offices. Under this program, awards of $50,000 are available to fund research studies determined to be critical to enhancing the university’s licensing position for specified technologies with commercial opportunity.
Eligibility
Technology transfer offices associated with any North Carolina university or not-for-profit research institution are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Use of Funds
Funds are intended to support direct costs associated with an approved research project designed to yield a significant technical milestone in the evolution of a technology from basic science to licensable commercial product or service.
Examples of such projects include proof-of-concept, validation, lead identification and optimization using a proprietary platform technology, etc.
Due to legal constraints, funds provided under the TEG program cannot be used for certain purposes. Prohibited charges include (but are not limited to):
- Purchase or lease of real estate, building construction or renovations
- Salaries for administrative personnel
- Overhead or indirect costs
- Patenting costs
Funding may support research to be performed at the university or may be used to engage a non-academic contract research provider as needed. Please note that these funds may not be used to fund a basic science research study that is not tied to any commercial application or milestone.
Fifty percent (50%) of the award amount will be distributed following approval of the award. An additional 40% will be released upon receipt and approval of a mid-term project report. The final 10% will be distributed upon receipt and approval of a final project report.
Application Procedure
Technology transfer officers interested in funding through this program are encouraged to submit a brief (1-2 page) pre-proposal that describes the technology, summarizes the intellectual property status and any licensing discussions to date, defines the technical milestone sought and its commercial relevance, and outlines the studies proposed to achieve that milestone for which funding is sought. This pre-proposal should be directed to Dr. Rob Lindberg.
Upon review of the pre-proposal, applicants will be encouraged to develop a complete proposal. This full proposal must include the following items:
- Cover sheet (coming soon)
- Proposal summary
- Budget page and justification
- Benefits to North Carolina description
- Invention description and relevant background
- Detailed information regarding the design and conduct of the proposed studies
- Technical milestone sought
- Intended market for commercial product
- IP status and licensing discussions to date
- Value of the proposed studies to future licensing discussions
The full proposal and accompanying materials should be no more than 15 pages in length. These must be reviewed by BTD staff before approval for electronic submission.
TEG applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are approved by the Center’s President/CEO.
The Center requires periodic project reports and the execution of a Financial Assistance Agreement. If any TEG funds are used to purchase equipment, a security instrument will also be executed in order to ensure the Center of primary lien-holder status on all equipment purchased with Center funds.
Contact
Contact Dr. Rob Lindberg at (919) 541-9366 or rob_lindberg@ncbiotech.org with questions regarding this program or to schedule a preliminary meeting.