Technology Maturation Fund

NOTE: We are no longer accepting Tech Mat Fund applications for FY 2012.

Who can apply to the Tech Mat Program?
All LANL researchers—technical staff members and post-docs, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals—who have obtained sponsorship from one of the Technology Transfer (TT) Division’s Technology Management Teams—may apply. Any proposal selected that has foreign national participation must be approved through a SAFE-Division review before the project can begin.

What are eligibility criteria?
To be eligible for funding, applicants must

• Submit an invention disclosure that has been accepted as complete by both the Legal Counsel Office and TT Division. Invention disclosures are submitted through our Web-based application, IDEAS (Invention Disclosure Electronic Application System).
• Obtain sponsorship from one of the Technology Management Teams in TT Division. A description of each Technology Management Team focus area and list of team members can be found at http://www.lanl.gov/orgs/tt/org.shtml.
• Complete and submit the application.

What are the selection criteria?
The Selection Committee consists of members of TT Division’s Technology Management and Development offices. These reviews ensure that each proposal is reviewed and evaluated by staff with expertise in both technology management and technology commercialization. Proposals are evaluated based on potential return on investment through a license or a CRADA. We consider market opportunity, relevance to industry, technology risk, competitive risk, people risk, and availability of nongovernment matching funds. A letter of interest or support from a company is helpful.

What is the process for submitting an application?
Applications can be submitted anytime. The Selection Committee meets on an as-needed basis to review applications and select finalists. Finalists are required to meet in person with the Committee. Awardees will be notified and their charge codes activated within two weeks after the presentation.

How much money may I request?
Awards are made in the $10–$50K range, as required by the specific milestones to be achieved.

What are typical milestones?
Short-term, specific, and goal-focused milestones are preferred—ideally guided by feedback from a potential industrial partner. We do not fund general development work and work that will produce intangible results that cannot be communicated to potential licensees. Good milestone examples include

• Constructing a prototype,
• Measuring the efficacy/efficiency of a prototype,
• Analyzing the products of a key experiment,
• Comparing the product with existing products, and
• Collecting performance data for a new material, process, or apparatus.

What happens if I need more funding?
Over time, a single invention may receive multiple awards in the $10–$50K range. There is no defined maximum as long as a series of progressive milestones can be established showing a clear path towards commercialization.

How can Tech Mat award funds be used?
Awards should be applied directly to achieve the milestones listed in your Statement of Work. Funds can be used for researcher time, use of LANL or non-LANL facilities, and to purchase consumables and capital equipment necessary to complete the proposed development project. Capital equipment purchased with Technology Maturation Funds will become the property of DOE.

Are there restrictions on use of the funds?
All awarded projects must comply with the following restrictions:

• Technology Maturation Funds may not be used to substitute for or increase funding for any program or project already funded by DOE or any other agency.
• Technology Maturation Funds may be used for research projects that involve experiments on living subjects (e.g., humans or animals) only if the appropriate approvals have been obtained from the responsible Laboratory oversight committee.
• Projects must start within 30 days and be completed within 180 days (6 months) of funding, or funds will be withdrawn.

Do the Laboratory burden rates apply?
Technology Maturation Fund project costs are exempt from Laboratory G&A overhead and Gross Receipts Tax but pay full division support rates.

If you have questions, please contact one of the Technology Maturation Fund program managers, Belinda Snyder or John Mott.