Taking research outputs beyond bench-top trials for socio-economic wellbeing J.G. Shantha Siri Senior Scientific Officer Technology Division National Science Foundation Tel: 011 2696771-3, 011 2676766 e-mail: shantha@nsf.ac.lk
Objective To make researchers and scientists aware about the NSF Technology Grant Schemes and related other services which facilitate R&D commercialization
Outline 1. Introduction to R&D commercialization 2. NSF Technology Grant Schemes 3. Support for IP protection 4. Support scheme for publishing science books 5. NSF-University science society Programme 6. NSF Award schemes 7. Success story
1. Introduction to R&D commercialization Commercialization is an exchange of know-how for money (Speser, 2008) A sequence of activities for converting an invention to a product or service (Rosa & Rose, 2007) Taking the R&D of an organization to an industry (Cornford, 2002) Process of transforming new knowledge into new products/services, employment & pay cheques
Introduction contd., In the knowledge economy, physical inputs (raw materials, labour, land etc.) has been replaced by IP assets (patents, trademarks, copyrights etc.) Sri Lanka is about to shift from lower middle income to upper middle income nation One of the national priorities is to enhance high-tech exports Demand for ROI from R&D from higher decision making level
commercial scale production Introduction contd., Value chain Tech. development R&D Idea Prototype Pre-industrial product Product Commercial venture Product development/ scaling up Test marketing & commercial scale production
2. NSF Technology Grant Scheme 1. Support for Technology Development Having R&D completed R&D output with commercial potential Prototype development/scaling up 2. Support for Start-Up businesses based on novel technologies Having technology development completed Product development completed Market surveillance done Business proposal is prepared Ready to market product
Grant Scheme contd., Specific format of application Review process Evaluation criteria Business proposal Progress monitoring Fund disbursement mechanism
3. Support for IP protection Guidance for patent drafting Patent information search Guidance for applying under PCT Provision to meet cost incurred for IP protection
4. Support scheme for publishing science books Improve the quality of the publications on Science and Technology. Create an avenue for public to access authentic reading material on science and technology. Financial support to cover printing cost ( apply at least two months a head along with three quotations).
5. NSF-University Science Society Programme Opportunity for undergraduate to share the knowledge Financial support to cover cost of printing materials in a knowledge sharing/dissemination session
6. NSF Award Schemes NSF Research Awards SUSRED Awards TWAS/NSF Young Scientist Award Teachers Award for promoting science Technology Awards NASTA Awards
7. Success story
Success story 2 NSF completed research grant, RG/2005/E/05 NSF Technology Grant - TG/2012/Start-Up/01
Ultimate message Even a technically bright innovation can fail in the market because ultimate peer reviewer is the Customer. Therefore, start with market & end with market
Thank you