OTCV Development Grants

Technology Development Fund Research Grants

Background

The Technology Development Fund Research Grants are funded by the University of Massachusetts President's Office and provide UMass researchers with supplemental funding to advance previously disclosed university technology toward commercialization. The Fund was initially created as part of the University’s science and technology activities and as part of OTCV’s desire to increase licensing income, startups, and entrepreneurism across all five campuses in our system. Up to 10 projects are expected to be funded. 

Fund Objective

Technology Development Fund grants are intended to move technologies to provide University of Massachusetts researchers with supplemental funding to advance previously disclosed University technologies toward commercialization. The grant is intended to move technologies to the proof-of-concept stage or to allow the investigator to take other critical steps to make the technology attractive for licensing or other forms of commercialization.  This might include moving a technology to the point where it could form the basis of an appropriate I-Corps grant application, SBIR/STTR application, etc.

The Fund is NOT intended to support basic research, but rather close the gap between the research discovery and proven technology.

Guidelines, Funding and Eligibility  

UMassD Principal Investigators are encouraged to apply to their Chief Research Officer and contact the OTCV for more information.  The amount of award varies, but is generally up to $25,000.  Proposals are due in the first quarter of the calendar year and UMD will forward up to 4 finalists to the President's office.  Final awards are made following an evaluation by a team of external scientists/engineers/entrepreneurs/innovators.  More details can be found in the  OTCV Guidelines, Funding and Eligibility (PDF)