Purpose
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund supports the translation of research discoveries into products, processes, and other commercial applications. We are eager to identify and support UConn-developed inventions and technologies that address unmet needs and have strong potential for commercial application. We invite proposals from across all disciplines for projects that aim to advance these technologies forward toward commercialization.
Process and Timeline
The SPARK competition is organized into a two-step review process. 1) Applicants are asked to first submit a letter of intent designed to allow applicants to demonstrate that the project is ripe to transition from basic research to commercialization and to familiarize the review committee with the projects. The applicants with the most competitive projects will be invited to submit full proposals. 2) All full proposals will be reviewed to evaluate the project’s scientific background and commercial potential. Reviews will be conducted by a team of commercialization experts. The proposals which demonstrate the most promise for commercial success will be selected for funding.
**New in FY24 – the SPARK program allows for awarded projects to receive a total of $100K between the initial award and one-time follow-on funding. Follow-on funding is dependent on meeting established milestones and demonstration of success.
Important Dates (all due dates by 12 noon) –
- 9/15/2023 – FY24 program opens.
- 10/23/2023 2-Page Letter of Intent. Click here for LOI submission details
- 11/15/2023 (or earlier) Invitations to submit full proposals will be sent.
- 1/30/2024 Full Proposal deadline (by invitation)
- Award Notifications are expected in March
Award Details
- The OVPR anticipates funding up to 4 projects each cycle.
- Each award will begin with an initial award period of up to 1 year. Awarded project is also eligible for up to 1 year of follow-on funding pending the completion of specific milestones agreed upon at the time of the initial award.
- Proposals should include plans for the full duration of the intended effort (including a follow-up award period, if one is anticipated), and the must include a list of objective proposed milestones to be completed by the end of the initial award period.
- Budgets for the initial award period should reflect of the needs of the project for that period, up to $50K. Follow-on funding can be requested in amounts that would bring the total award size up to $100K. (Ex. $50K initial and $50K follow-on or $40K initial and $60K follow-on.
- Standard award periods for both initial and follow-on funding are one year. We encourage applicants to submit well-defined scopes of work that can be completed within 1-2 years.
- No-cost extensions are possible for SPARK awards but are typically only approved when extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the PI exist. Extensions needed because of compliance delays or to allow financial transactions to finalize are also allowed. Adequate justification / documentation will be required, and the program director may request a revised budget and timeline before extensions are approved. Requests for extensions can be made using the IFP Project Change form.
- SPARK awards are intended to support the development of new innovations within the labs / research groups of UConn/UConn Health faculty members. SPARK funds cannot be used for a) continuing existing commercialization projects, b) costs related to creating/operating start-up companies, or c) development activities that take place in faculty-owned companies.
- Projects that make use of UConn resources, core facilities, or that include significant interdisciplinary partnerships will be prioritized
- No more than 50% of SPARK project budgets can be used to support salary for graduate assistants, postdocs, research associates, or technicians. Please see SPARK budget guidelines for more detail.
- SPARK Awardees will be connected with commercialization experts from OVPR’s Technology Commercialization and Venture Development group. Awardees should expect to work closely with TCS to discuss progress/obstacles and to gain access to advice and resources that will enhance the project’s chances for commercial success.
Submissions to this program are made via a third-party software application, SurveyMonkey Apply. The terms of use and privacy statements for this software apply to your use of it and to the information you provide in your application. Before proceeding with your submission, please review their terms and privacy statements linked below.
SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund
Purpose
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund supports the translation of research discoveries into products, processes, and other commercial applications. We are eager to identify and support UConn-developed inventions and technologies that address unmet needs and have strong potential for commercial application. We invite proposals from across all disciplines for projects that aim to advance these technologies forward toward commercialization.
Process and Timeline
The SPARK competition is organized into a two-step review process. 1) Applicants are asked to first submit a letter of intent designed to allow applicants to demonstrate that the project is ripe to transition from basic research to commercialization and to familiarize the review committee with the projects. The applicants with the most competitive projects will be invited to submit full proposals. 2) All full proposals will be reviewed to evaluate the project’s scientific background and commercial potential. Reviews will be conducted by a team of commercialization experts. The proposals which demonstrate the most promise for commercial success will be selected for funding.
**New in FY24 – the SPARK program allows for awarded projects to receive a total of $100K between the initial award and one-time follow-on funding. Follow-on funding is dependent on meeting established milestones and demonstration of success.
Important Dates (all due dates by 12 noon) –
- 9/15/2023 – FY24 program opens.
- 10/23/2023 2-Page Letter of Intent. Click here for LOI submission details
- 11/15/2023 (or earlier) Invitations to submit full proposals will be sent.
- 1/30/2024 Full Proposal deadline (by invitation)
- Award Notifications are expected in March
Award Details
- The OVPR anticipates funding up to 4 projects each cycle.
- Each award will begin with an initial award period of up to 1 year. Awarded project is also eligible for up to 1 year of follow-on funding pending the completion of specific milestones agreed upon at the time of the initial award.
- Proposals should include plans for the full duration of the intended effort (including a follow-up award period, if one is anticipated), and the must include a list of objective proposed milestones to be completed by the end of the initial award period.
- Budgets for the initial award period should reflect of the needs of the project for that period, up to $50K. Follow-on funding can be requested in amounts that would bring the total award size up to $100K. (Ex. $50K initial and $50K follow-on or $40K initial and $60K follow-on.
- Standard award periods for both initial and follow-on funding are one year. We encourage applicants to submit well-defined scopes of work that can be completed within 1-2 years.
- No-cost extensions are possible for SPARK awards but are typically only approved when extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the PI exist. Extensions needed because of compliance delays or to allow financial transactions to finalize are also allowed. Adequate justification / documentation will be required, and the program director may request a revised budget and timeline before extensions are approved. Requests for extensions can be made using the IFP Project Change form.
- SPARK awards are intended to support the development of new innovations within the labs / research groups of UConn/UConn Health faculty members. SPARK funds cannot be used for a) continuing existing commercialization projects, b) costs related to creating/operating start-up companies, or c) development activities that take place in faculty-owned companies.
- Projects that make use of UConn resources, core facilities, or that include significant interdisciplinary partnerships will be prioritized
- No more than 50% of SPARK project budgets can be used to support salary for graduate assistants, postdocs, research associates, or technicians. Please see SPARK budget guidelines for more detail.
- SPARK Awardees will be connected with commercialization experts from OVPR’s Technology Commercialization and Venture Development group. Awardees should expect to work closely with TCS to discuss progress/obstacles and to gain access to advice and resources that will enhance the project’s chances for commercial success.
Submissions to this program are made via a third-party software application, SurveyMonkey Apply. The terms of use and privacy statements for this software apply to your use of it and to the information you provide in your application. Before proceeding with your submission, please review their terms and privacy statements linked below.