EDRF Technology Acceleration Program

Deadline: June 1, 2024 (proposal review begins May 15, 2024)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND GOALS
The Technology Acceleration Program will accelerate the development of prototypes (e.g. software, IoT, algorithms, sensors, biologics, materials, medical devices) that have potential to leverage public-private partnerships and fit within NDSU’s strategic priorities or align with prior and/or existing research investments at NDSU. Proposals should demonstrate commercial applicability and articulate how the funding would result in significant progress for the prototype along the bench to the market pipeline. Proposals should include a concise statement of how the activity being funded can serve an unmet industry or market need. The Technology Acceleration Program is not intended to support projects at a conceptual stage.

NDSU’S STRATEGIC RESEARCH PRIORITIES [Learn more >>]

Food, Energy, and Water Security
Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Software Engineering
Life Sciences
Entrepreneurship and Innovation

FUNDING SOURCE
Funding for this program will come from Economic Diversification Research Funds (EDRF). Established by the ND Legislature for NDUS institutions, the program’s purpose is to:

Stimulate economic activity across the state through innovation of new technology, concepts, and products;
Promote job creation and career and wage growth;
Enhance health care outcomes;
Address loss of revenue and jobs in communities with economies that depend primarily on the fossil fuel industry;
Provide experiential learning opportunities for students.

EXPECTATIONS

Proposals must articulate the value proposition of the anticipated outcomes for relevant industry sector(s).
Proposals with “leveraged” resources (partial match or match funds, in-kind, etc.) from industry partners as part of the proposal will receive priority.
Submissions must clearly articulate the progress expected along the bench to market pipeline that would result from this funding.
Submissions that clearly describe the next immediate steps after funding, with a particular emphasis on milestones within six months of funding will receive priority.
Funded projects will be required to submit the following reports:
- Interim reports as requested (with anticipated two-week notice) to meet EDRF reporting requirements.
- A final report no later than one month (30 days) after the conclusion of funding, to include EDRF reporting requirements.

AWARD
A technology acceleration project may request up to $175,000. Up to 4 project grants will be awarded from Year 1 EDRF funds, although not at the maximum level of funding. Priority will be given to projects with deliverables complete by January 15, 2025. A second call for proposals will be forthcoming. All funds must be spent by May 15, 2025.

TIMELINE
Review of submitted proposals will begin May 15, 2024.
Proposals will be accepted on an ongoing basis until June 1, 2024. Pending continued availability of funds, a second round of this call for proposals will launch in summer 2024 for FY2025 funds, with a final proposal deadline of October 1, 2024.

ELIGIBILITY

Full-time faculty and research staff at NDSU are eligible to apply.
Faculty may participate in more than one project. However, a PI is only eligible to receive one award.
The Technology Acceleration Program is not intended to support projects at a conceptual stage with little to no supporting research.
Submissions must clearly articulate the progress expected along the bench to market pipeline that would result from this funding.
Proposals should include a concise statement of how the activity being funded can serve an unmet industry or market need.
Documentation of support by industry, especially when accompanied by a Letter of Commitment for leveraged resources, is expected to link the proposal activities with the expected industry return on investment (ROI).
Priority for the first round of projects will be for those with all deliverables complete by May 15, 2025 and for projects documenting leveraged resources from industry partners.

BUDGET
Budget can be up to $175,000. Funds must be spent by May 15, 2025.

Travel is allowable, but must be justified
Funding will not be provided for indirect costs, capital equipment or graduate tuition

APPLICATION COMPONENTS
Technology Acceleration Program applications must be submitted using the online submission form in InfoReady: here

Submission Instructions:

Use the link above to access the competition page.
When you are ready to submit your application, use the “Apply” button on the competition page.
When prompted to log in, choose the large blue “North Dakota State University Login” button.
Log in using your Bison credentials.
Complete the InfoReady form (questions include name and department for PI and up to four Co-PIs).
Complete each section, use the budget template provided on the Details page
As part of the proposal routing process, you will be asked to provide the email address of your department chair or unit head. The proposal will be routed to that individual for approval of the proposed application, including the budget. An application without department chair/unit head approval will not be reviewed.
Preview and submit.

Note: You may save your application in progress and return to it at a later time.

Format:

11-point font or larger
1/2” margins

Component	Description	Page Limit
Team	Brief description of relevant experience and accomplishments for each faculty member on the team. If there are pre-existing collaborations between team members, note those as well.	1 Page
Project Description	Describe the problem is your prototype looking to solve. Describe how your prototype solves the stated problem (i.e. is a new product to the market or is an alternative to current options on the market.) Detailed Description of technology to be developed/accelerated. Relevant market need and size (if known.) Outline your business model (commercial potential and how you see this generating income.) Project timeline showing activities needed for commercialization. What are the steps to get from the current level of development to market entry. Timeline must note completion dates for key deliverables. Description of industry connections / partnerships with regard to this technology. Provide specific information on industry collaborations and/or discussions. Note that projects that have obtained a letter or letters of support and/or commitment from industry partners will be asked to elaborate on the role and relevance in an additional attachment, detailed below.	4 pages
References Cited	As applicable.	N/A
Next Steps for Prototype	Identify specific external funding opportunities that the team intends to pursue, if any. Proposals that have strong potential for sustainability beyond the duration of the funding via industry sponsorship, other competitive funding sources or licensing will be given priority.	1 Page
External Funding	Summary of relevant external research support (past, current, and pending) for primary team members (PI and up to 4 co-PIs). For each project, include title, start/end dates, agency, amount, and brief description.	1 Page
Brief Budget and Justification	Maximum award amount is $175,000. There is no minimum. Funding will not be provided for equipment, capital expenses, graduate student tuition and indirect costs. Travel is allowable, but must be justified.	1 Page
Local Collaborations	A list of the name, department, and email address of any NDSU collaborators of any/all members of the team. This list will be used in the review process to avoid conflicts of interest.	N/A
*If Applicable*
Letters of support and/or Letters of commitment	Signed letters where industry partners document support and/or leveraged resources Letters of Support indicate that a proposal’s project activities contribution have support from the company and explains the translational and commercialization value of the project for that industry sector. When companies are willing and able to leverage resources for the proposal (leveraged funds awarded to the PI/researcher team for the project; in-kind leveraged support through partial or whole FTEs, use of facilities/instrumentation, etc.), the partner should document that contribution in a Letter of Commitment that explains the leveraged resources that will be brought onto the proposal, if EDRF funds are awarded.	1 Page Max (per letter)
Industry Support	Projects that obtain a Letter of Support and/or Letter of Commitment from one or more industry partners should use this one page to explain the industry role and relevance for the proposed activities.	1 Page

REVIEW PROCESS & CRITERIA

Review Process:
RCA will coordinate internal review of proposals on a rolling basis.

Review Criteria:

Strength of team to carry out the proposed activities.
Alignment of the proposed work with industry / market needs.
Alignment of the proposed work with external funding mechanisms.
The technology transfer potential of the proposal; that is, the degree to which the funds will contribute to the commercial development and eventual market entry of the results of the activity.
Clarity and feasibility of plan / timeline for commercialization / market entry.
The degree to which the application provides evidence that the technology could become a viable income generating “product.”
The likelihood that the project will lead to direct funding from industry or other commercialization support.
Proposal clarity.
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Include “leveraged” resources by industry partners contributed to the project activities.
- Will complete deliverables by January 15, 2025.

QUESTIONS
Contact Cynthia.graffeo@ndsu.edu or heidi.grunwald.1@ndsu.edu with questions.