Laboratory issues ongoing call for proposals for Industrial Business Development Technology Maturation Fund

Evaluation criteria for the proposals will include such issues as whether or not there is a compelling market need for this technology, how likely it is that the technology can be successfully commercialized, how much resistance to adopting this technology might be encountered in the market and whether the investigator is capable of developing the technology.

Awards of up to $50,000 are available with the opportunity to apply for additional awards as milestones are achieved in developing the technology.

Proposals are considered on a monthly cycle. The first monthly deadline for proposals is Dec. 20. All proposals will receive written feedback and finalists will be notified by Jan. 15, 2003. Finalists must attend a question-and-answer session with a review panel on the morning of Feb. 3, 2003, with the first awards announced a week later on Feb. 10.

Proposal forms and instructions are available at www.lanl.gov/partnerships online. Technical division intellectual property coordinators also can help prepare proposals.

The objective of IBD's Technology Maturation Fund is to provide small amounts of funding for highly focused projects to move early-stage technologies along the road to commercialization, according to Donna Smith, IBD Division leader.

Unlike other types of funding within the Laboratory, these awards are not for a specific time period, but rather to achieve a specific milestone in a defined development path leading to commercialization. The funds are meant to remove specific hurdles to development of early-stage technologies in the Laboratory.

The Industrial Business Development (IBD) Office serves as the conduit for Laboratory collaborations with private industry. In this capacity, IBD promotes the commercialization of Laboratory technologies for the benefit of the nation and its citizens. Specific functions within IBD include licensing of Laboratory technologies, cooperative development agreements (CRADAs), and special assistance for employees interested in starting a business based on their Lab inventions.

For more information about IBD services, go to www.lanl.gov/partnerships online.

-- Todd Hanson

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