NSF’s Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) program wants to support not only academic institutions but also small technology-based businesses in order to move engineering-based research discoveries into the market place at a faster pace.
NSF’s Directorate for Engineering posted a notice July 5th inviting requests for funding under the PFI program for their solicitation “Partnerships for Innovation: Building Innovation Capacity”. The objective is to establish partnerships between academic research teams and small technology-based businesses in order to translate discoveries into technical and/or economic competencies. The funding will provide support to academic institutions that partner with at least two small technology-based businesses that are not in direct competition with each other.
The primary aim is to:
- Build the innovation capacity of individual participants from academia and from business
- Increase the viability of small business concerns
- Develop the next-generation workforce by providing opportunities for students at different levels to effectively participate in innovative projects
Universities, colleges, and small technology-based business are eligible to apply for the funding but small technology companies must have one team member with entrepreneurial and business experience.
Anticipated funding of $8,000,000 will be made for thirteen awards dependent on anticipated funding and the quality of proposals received. Awards may be made for up to $600,000. A Letter of Intent is due September 26, 2012 with the full proposal due December 12, 2012.
Go to www.grants.gov or to www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12578/nsf12578.pdf to view the solicitation. The contact is Sara B. Nerlove, Program Director at (703) 292-7077 or email snerlove@nsf.gov.
