Technology Commercialization is excited to announce the Early Innovation Fund, a new competitive grant program to fund short-term projects that advance early-stage innovations. The program provides $3,000 to $10,000 per project and will fund approximately 5 to 10 projects per cycle.
This opportunity is open to all UMN researchers and employees, including faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and staff. It is offered twice a year, in spring and fall.
The Early Innovation Fund is designed to help advance the technology readiness of an innovation through a variety of means, including support for buying materials, building prototypes, testing services, student workers, and entrepreneurial activities. (See a full list of technology development activities that are in scope.)
All applicants receive an intellectual property (IP) analysis along with feedback. In addition to funding, awardees receive a commercial market report, and where applicable, a patent search report.
The application opens April 15 with submissions due May 16. Awards will be announced in mid-summer 2022.
Visit the Early Innovation Fund web page to learn more and apply.