Program Description

The FSURF GAP II program promotes commercial development of FSU inventions and other original works beyond the proof of concept level established in the original GAP program. It funds collaborative projects suggested by a qualified faculty investigator (“PI”) and an outside organization (“licensee”) to accelerate the public availability of a new product or service. The outside organization will normally hold an option or license to commercialize FSU’s technology. Product technologies that have previously received funding under the existing GAP program are likely candidates; but, any commercially feasible FSURF owned innovation can be considered.

The FSU Research Foundation has allocated up to $150,000 to provide project grants under this program during 2007-8. Individual grants are expected to be modest; but there is no specific dollar limit. Matching funds at least equal the value of the FSURF grant are expected from a licensee. In kind participation is permitted and encouraged; but PI and licensee salaries can’t be charged to the project or considered as matching funds.

GAP II projects should reach completion in less than one year. Projects will be funded to meet documented project objectives ( what, when, and why) agreed upon by the PI and the licensee . Internal checkpoints, consistent with the schedule and budget, will be established at the time a grant is approved. FSURF grants and licensee contributed funds will be made available to the PI through FSURF. Active collaboration by the licensee is anticipated. Licensees will fund their own costs of collaboration. Grant funds may be used to pay students or post doctoral fellows, or to obtain materials, services and assistance outside the university. Overhead charges should not be included in project grant requests.

Proposal Preparation

Before writing a proposal, the licensee and the faculty sponsor should seek assistance from Mr. Gustav Ray, Director of Commercialization in the Office of IP Development , to identify at least one outside expert who will advise FSURF management on the market value of the proposed project. This asessment will be a key part of evaluating the proposal. Costs of this consultation will ordinarily be absorbed by FSURF.

Proposals may be submitted at any time, directed to the FSU Research Foundation through the Office of IP Development. Proposals should include:

1. FSU Standard Proposal Transmittal Form.
2. Summary or abstract:
   • Identify the product or service that will be offered in the market, and the FSU invention or work disclosure that enables it.
   • Describe the task(s) that will establish market credibility.
   • Give a reason and expected outcome for each task
   • Establish FSU and Licensee responsibility for each task
3. Describe the anticipated product or service
   • What is it? Can you draw a picture?
   • Why is it important to the public?
   • Why is it important to the licensee?
   • What are its key advances from the present art?
   • What is the patent and licensing position?
   • What are its important competitors or alternatives?
4. Objectives:
   • Describe the tasks to be performed, in order of priority. The highest priority task should resolve the highest perceived risk.
   • Provide an estimate of cost and time for each objective.
5. Plan:
   • What method will be used to accomplish each task ( simulation, experiment, economic study…)?
   • Which tasks will be performed by licensee?
   • For each task:
     1. What resources are required: key personnel, skills, third party services?
     2. What results are expected?
     3. What happens if results aren’t as expected?
   • Show dependencies in time, outcome, and resources among tasks.
6. Related Work
   • Describe other ongoing work or results related to this project, either academic or commercial.
7. Key Personnel
   • Provide a brief statement of the qualifications and responsibilities of the key FSU and licensee staff and any consultants or third parties who have agreed to participate.
   • Do not include detailed CV’s.
8. Equipment and facilities
   • Describe the facilities and equipment required for the project.
   • Indicate how these will be obtained, if not readily and locally available.
9. Other Sources of Funding
   • Identify committed sources of alternate or additional funds and collaborative efforts.
   • Compensation of key FSU and Licensee personnel will not be deducted from the grant award or counted as a matching contribution.
10. Budget
    • Follow normal guidelines for FSURF budgets
    • Identify and justify external expenditures
    • Do not include either FSU or licensee’s indirect costs
11. Deadline
    • Applications may be submitted at any time.
    • Licensee’s commitment of funds and participation must accompany application. ( May be conditional upon award of grant by FSURF)
    • Key outside events, schedules, or dependencies should be identified.

Evaluation, Awards and Reports

Initial review and comments will be provided to the authors of the proposal by the Office of IP Development and Commercialization.

Proposal evaluation will be provided by an independent outside organization and by a standing committee appointed by the FSURF Board. Allocation of authorized funds will be at the discretion of the President of FSURF. Once funded, the faculty member and licensee will report project progress and accomplishments at their scheduled checkpoints.

At completion, a brief Final Report will be provided within 30 days and a brief Annual Status Report will be required for 3 years to assist in evaluating the GAP II program and determining its direct and indirect benefits to FSU, including new products, new companies, new services, and new related grants.