1. The OVPRI Innovation Fund
An inter-disciplinary effort to foster the accelerated translation of innovations developed at UO into new products, services and businesses
Administered by Research Development Services (RDS),
in collaboration with Innovation Partnership Services (IPS)

2. The Translational Challenge
University research is typically conducted for the creation and dissemination of knowledge.
NOT to produce a commercial product, or to undertake activities aimed primarily towards those goals.
University innovations typically need more money and time spent to make them ready for broad use.
Federal basic research funding historically exclude spending on product development activities.
Bridging this “gap” can be hard in academic settings.

3. Bridging the Funding Gap
Universities and their ecosystems have created “gap funding” mechanisms to increase the impact their innovations on the community and lives of the public.
Funds don’t come from the General Fund or federal direct research.
Typically from donors, F&A/ICC returns & nontraditional sources.
Hard to find these funds and divert them from other worthy purposes on campus

4. Translational Research Grant Prog.
OVPRI Innovation Fund (IF) is aimed at taking pre-existing research discoveries and turning them into new products, services, and companies that contribute to the Oregon economy.
Awardees are expected to pursue additional funding with UO assistance to accelerate the impact of their research, such as SBIR/STTR, industry funding, and state grant programs.
TRG program launched in October 2018

5. Translational Research Grant Prog.
TRG goals may include, but are not limited to:
Acquiring statistically meaningful proof-of-concept testing data or performance demonstrations
Creation of a working prototype, or the creation of a next-generation prototype from an earlier version
Create/extend the scope of intellectual property to be licensed by an existing company or a start-up.
Purchase or build equipment, or pay for a sub-contract, that is required to demonstrate the utility of the innovation.

6. Translational Research Grant Prog.
TRG funds are NOT eligible to be used for:
Basic research intended to generate the fundamental innovation (although new improvements might be made)
Non-technical development of your innovation e.g., market analysis or business plan creation. (use other national, regional and UO programs like NSF I Corps, Business Oregon Phase 0, Lens of the Market)
General research equipment
Travel to meetings, publication charges
Patent fees.
Faculty salary

7. TRG Applicants must…
Be a UO TTF or NTTF member w/ an active research program, or
Be a UO-IP-based spinout less than 5 years old which holds an active IP license from UO.
Postdocs and graduate students are also encouraged to apply provided that their supervising TTF is a co-applicant and confirms support for the postdoc or graduate student to participate in available UO innovation training programs such as Lens of the Market.
Have filed IP disclosure(s) with UO Innovation Partnership Services (IPS) for the innovation related to the TRG application prior to submitting the TRG application, or have an IPS Project Rules agreement in place for the related research project currently in progress.

8. TRG Applicants must…
Agree to participate actively in entrepreneurship activities at UO and educational opportunities to accelerate the impact of research. This includes the participation of graduate students and postdocs in UO programs such as Lens of the Market.
Confirm that all UO participants will accept the 20% UVDF payback requirements to the State of Oregon from any licensing revenue received by UO from the works/innovations/inventions included or derivative of any TRG project using UVDF funds
Include confirmation from any UO–IP-based spinout company that all TRG funds must be repaid by the company if it emigrates (relocates primary headquarters and/or operations) from Oregon during the ensuing five years

9. The TRG Application Form

10. TRG Applications… May not be more than 3 pages long
Form/Format given in the Instructions Sheet on the website
Will ask you to describe the overall TRG goal, and:
What is the pre-existing innovation?
Motivation for further developing this innovation.
“Competition” - What other research groups anywhere in the world are you aware of that are addressing this same need? Explain how the features and benefits of your innovation make it worthy of investment in light of those other efforts.
Stage of development of your innovation? What steps after this TRG will make your innovation ready for the marketplace?

11. TRG Applications… Will also ask for:
Strategic collaborators or partners - be specific!
Your vision of the path to market
Existing potential users or licensees?
Start-up?
Any discussions/contacts to date?
Specific Goals, Timelines and Expected Outcomes

12. TRG Budgets All requested items must be fully justified
Requests accepted between $25,000 - $75,000.
(In UNUSUAL cases, up to $100,000 but requiring milestones/tranches)
Approved items include:
Faculty (non-salary) and student support*
Equipment
Supplies

13. TRG Awardees must…
Complete the project within 1 year of receipt of funds
Submit a written report within 2 weeks of the end date of the Grant that:
Summarizes achievements and supporting data for each Goal
Demonstrates the increased licensing potential of the innovation as a result of the funding
Presents the next steps to be taken to further enhance this potential
Be prepared to start work within 2-3 months of award

14. OVPRI will… Accept applications on a rolling basis (no deadline)
Provide informal feedback to the PI within 30 days of submission
Ask for clarification or additional information as necessary during that time, verbally or in writing
Provide Award Letters to successful applicants
Expect great results!

15. Application Inquiries & Submission
Applications & other inquires accepted electronically at:
Research Development Services (RDS) at
Questions re: Translational Research Grants or the VPRI-IF:
Kate Petcosky-Kulkarni
Director, Research Development Services
Questions re: IPS disclosures or Project Rules:
Charles Williams, J.D., Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Innovation