Funding

The IDEA Center supports researcher-inventors as they develop their work from the lab to impact. We connect projects and people to the right kind of funding for the right stage of work.

Federal Commercialization Resources

A flowchart illustrates the process for STTR/SBIR awards and subcontracts at the University of Notre Dame. From left to right: Federal Sponsors (NSF, NSH, NASA, etc.) connects to STTR/SBIR Award, which connects to Faculty/Entrepreneur Owned, which connects to Subcontract, which connects to University of Notre Dame.

Funding Opportunities for Faculty Technologies

Introduction

  • Overview: This page is designed to help faculty identify external funding opportunities that can accelerate their technology’s journey from research to real-world application. Whether you are a researcher with a groundbreaking idea or a collaborator exploring commercialization pathways, this guide provides an overview of key programs and resources.

  • How to Use This Page: This page is a roadmap to explore various funding programs tailored to academic and small business collaborations. Each section provides descriptions, eligibility requirements, and links to current funding opportunities. Jump to FAQs.

1. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

The SBIR and STTR programs provide competitive federal funding to support any small business concern (SBC) in advancing technological innovations and commercializing promising research. The information below is the general approach of the federal agencies which support these type of grant applications.

  • Program Description

    • SBIR: Focuses on phases of funding to SBCs conducting research and development for innovative technologies. This program supports high-impact, federally sponsored projects that lead to transformative technologies. The SBC is not required to have a Research Institution (RI or aka university partner), but can choose to have one.

    • STTR: Emphasizes partnerships between SBCs and RI, fostering technology transfer and commercialization. Collaboration between faculty at an RI and an SBC is a cornerstone and requirement of this program, and a subaward to an RI is required.

These initiatives aim to stimulate partnerships, bridge research gaps, and fuel commercialization, creating opportunities for faculty collaboration and innovation within small business environments.

SBIRs and STTRs provide phased funding for small businesses to conduct R&D on innovative technology solutions. In both cases, the SBC is the applicant to, and then recipient from, the federal agency. The goal is to engage small businesses in high-impact, federally sponsored research projects and support their efforts to bring new, transformative technologies to market. These projects proceed through multiple phases, from concept validation to prototype development and commercialization.

  • Eligibility & Application Windows: The applicant must be a U.S.-based small business with fewer than 500 employees.

    • SBIR: The grant PI must be a company employee at 51% or more. Faculty can serve as consultants or collaborators, but full-time university faculty cannot be the Principal Investigator (PI) for the company unless employment at the University is reduced. See link.

    • STTR: The faculty member at the RI can work as the Overall PI (scientifically) with someone at the SBC being the grant contact or authorized official for the federal sponsor.

  • Current Opportunities: Navigate to the Funding Opportunities section which lists current and upcoming topics of interest from participating agencies. You can filter by an agency to search for solicitations and open calls.

  • Certain federal agencies, such as NSF and DOE, have different requirements for what is permissible for faculty member to participate in their grants. The grant solicitations on the “Funding Opportunities” page will have the most recent information.

2. Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) Program

  • Program Description: The PFI program supports academic research partnerships with industry, nonprofits, and other organizations to accelerate the development and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies.

  • Types of PFI Awards

    • Technology Translation (PFI-TT): Focuses on translating research discoveries into commercial applications

    • Research Partnerships (PFI-RP): Supports early-stage collaborations between academia and industry to address technology and commercialization challenges.

  • Eligibility & Application: The PFI program requires faculty to collaborate with external partners such as industry or nonprofits to translate research into commercial applications.

  • Current Opportunities: Visit the NSF PFI Page for active and upcoming funding opportunities. Faculty can explore solicitation documents for eligibility details, project scopes, and deadlines, with the ability to filter by funding type or research focus.

3. Innovation Corps (I-Corps)

  • Program Description: The NSF-funded I-Corps program helps researchers evaluate the market potential and customer needs for their technologies. Through immersive entrepreneurship training, participants gain insight into transforming their innovations into viable products.

  • Eligibility & Application: Faculty-led teams are eligible to participate if they have developed a technology stemming from NSF-funded research or have completed a regional NSF-supported I-Corps training program. Teams typically consist of an academic lead (faculty member), an entrepreneurial lead (often a student or postdoc), and a mentor with business expertise. The program focuses on technologies at early to mid-stage Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), generally between TRL 2 (technology concept formulated) and TRL 6 (prototype demonstrated in relevant environments), aiming to advance them toward commercialization.

  • Current Opportunities: For information on regional programs and national I-Corps Teams grants, visit the NSF I-Corps page. This provides details on upcoming cohorts, application deadlines, and program requirements. To find regional programs, navigate to the “I-Corps Hubs” section, which lists regional hubs offering training and support. For national I-Corps Teams grants, refer to the “Teams” section, where you can find solicitation documents and application guidelines.

4. Convergence Accelerator Program

  • Program Description: The NSF Convergence Accelerator is a program that funds interdisciplinary teams to develop high-impact solutions addressing national-scale societal and economic challenges. By fostering collaboration across various disciplines and sectors, the program aims to transition research into practical applications that benefit society.

  • Project Tracks: The Convergence Accelerator operates through specific tracks, each focusing on a distinct challenge area, that guide the program’s efforts to solve large-scale problems. These tracks are selected based on their potential for significant national impact and may include areas such as AI, Healthtech, and Quantum Science. Within these tracks, interdisciplinary teams work together to integrate knowledge and methodologies across fields, emphasizing convergence research - a holistic approach that unites diverse perspectives to drive innovative solutions. Each cohort of participants within a track shares a common goal but applies a variety of approaches.

  • Eligibility & Application: Faculty research teams from higher education institutions, as well as non-profit organizations, eligible to apply. The program follows a two-phase funding model: Phase 1 focuses on research planning and team formation, providing up to $750,000 for a 12-month period; Phase 2 supports prototyping and sustainability planning, offering up to $5 million over 24-36 months. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent before the full proposal.

  • Current Opportunities: For the latest funding opportunities, visit the NSF Convergence Accelerator page. Here, you can find information on active and upcoming solicitations, including submission deadlines and specific track details. Navigate to the “Funding Opportunities” section to view current calls for proposals and access relevant solicitation documents.

How to Find More Information and Open Calls

FAQs and Contact Information

Can students be involved in SBIR/STTR projects?
Yes, students can be engaged as part of the research team, especially in technical or support roles under the project scope.

Do I need to establish a small business to apply for SBIR/STTR funding?
Yes, the applicant must be a U.S.-based small business, though faculty can collaborate or consult for the business.

How are funding decisions made?
Proposals are typically reviewed by panels evaluating criteria such as innovation, market potential, technical feasibility, and alignment with program goals.

Can I apply for multiple funding programs simultaneously?
Yes, but proposals must meet the unique requirements of each program, and the same project may not be funded by multiple sources simultaneously.

Can I reapply if my proposal is rejected?
Yes, most programs allow resubmission after addressing reviewer feedback.

Can I apply for multiple funding programs simultaneously?
Yes, but proposals must meet the unique requirements of each program, and the same project may not be funded by multiple sources simultaneously.

What is a DUNS Number? Why do I need it? How do I get it?
A DUNS number is a unique non-indicative nine-digit identifier issued and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) which is free and is required to register with the U.S. Federal Government for contracts or grants. Visit this link for more information.

Can I publish my research findings and still protect the commercial value of my intellectual property (IP)?
Yes, but it’s crucial to submit an Invention Disclosure to the IDEA Center before any public disclosure to preserve potential patent rights.

What constitutes Sponsored Research at Notre Dame?
Sponsored Research involves externally funded projects governed by agreements that specify terms, including the ownership and use of resulting IP.

What rights does a research sponsor have to discoveries made during my research?
Sponsors may have rights to use or license discoveries but typically do not own the resulting IP unless explicitly stated in the agreement. The University’s Intellectual Property Policy provides detailed information.

Can my project involve collaborators from other universities or nonprofits?
Yes, many programs encourage interdisciplinary and inter-organizational collaborations.

What costs are typically covered by these grants?
Funding can cover research expenses, personnel costs, equipment, travel, and commercialization activities. Specific details depend on the program.

For research specific questions, refer to FAQs on research.nd.edu.

For IP specific questions, contact Carrie Jennings at cjennin5@nd.edu.

Contact

Benjamin Sheyko, Technology Development Program Manager
Email Benjamin at bsheyko@nd.edu.