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SEED-TECH Grants

The CNSI SEED-TECH Grants provide faculty with funding to address the gap between basic research and early-stage commercialization through proof-of-concept and market viability demonstrations. The ultimate objective of the program is to develop technologies that attract entrepreneurs, industry and investors willing to develop UCSB technologies into commercial products and services that benefit society.

SEED-TECH projects aim to move UCSB-owned research innovations closer to commercialization, public use and/or licensing.

Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Building a prototype (or refined second iteration prototype) to demonstrate reliability, efficacy and/or commercial viability
  • Testing commercial and market feasibility
  • Demonstrating scale-up potential
  • Pre-clinical studies and medical device testing
  • Life cycle analysis
  • Producing results/data that support more competitive proposal for a federal technology translation grant, such as proposals to NSF’s Convergence Accelerator or Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) (or other similar programs)
  • Addressing a specific gap identified by external advisors/industry experts that impairs the ability to license or attract capital
  • Generating translational data or research results to create more robust foundational intellectual property/enable broad patent claims.

 Contact

Photo of Sherylle Mills Englander

Sherylle Mills Englander

Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives and Operations

 Key Dates

  • Applications due: February 1, 2024
  • Award announcements: March 15, 2024
  • Funding available: May 1, 2024

 Apply

Application Form
Program and Funding Details

CNSI SEED-TECH awards can support direct costs of up to $75,000 over a period of 12 months. SEED-TECH funding is flexible and can be used to cover salaries, materials, supplies, or external CRO/foundry work or testbedding.

Proposals should contain a plan of development that will move UCSB-owned research innovations closer to commercialization, public use and/or licensing. The project should contain defined steps and a tangible set of milestones that would overcome a specific, identifiable hurdle to commercialization.

External Feedback: CNSI SEED-TECH proposals must include a description of external feedback obtained to confirm the technology’s commercial potential and to confirm proposed project will drive the technology closer to commercialization, public use or licensing. External advisors or potential technology users/adopters should be either working in the relevant industry or be professionally investing in similar companies and should understand the commercial landscape for technology in the relevant markets. Academics from other universities are not typically considered external advisors unless they have demonstrated significant industry experience within the relevant market sector. Including a letter of support from the external advisor as part of the proposal submission is highly encouraged.

Phased Proposal Opportunity: If external feedback has not been obtained, PIs may submit a phased project proposal: Phase I (up to $8,000) would involve the acquisition of external feedback over a period of up to nine (9) months. Phase I funding would support customer discovery activities, such as travel to trade shows or key potential users to gain external feedback on both the technology and the milestones needed to be successfully commercialized or deployed. Upon completion of Phase I activities, the PI would submit a description of the translational activities to be conducted with the remainder of the CNSI SEED-TECH grant funding, based upon the information gained from external advisors through Phase I activities.

It is strongly encouraged for PIs to participate in a customer discovery program, such as NSF I-Corps, or the more condensed “ZAP” or “BOOM” programs at the I-Corps Hub West, to enable a deeper exploration of the technology’s potential fit in the marketplace.

Please contact Sherylle Mills Englander (englander@ucsb.edu) if you have questions about the identification of an external advisor or questions about a submitting a phased proposal.

SEED-TECH funding is pre-commercial and is targeted at UCSB research faculty. Existing companies are not eligible to apply to the CNSI SEED-TECH program.

Application Process

To apply, complete the online application (see Side Box) and upload, as supplemental documents, the PI and Co-PIs’ CV and any letters of support. Additionally, submit a detailed budget and budget justification, uploaded in PDF form. All requested budget times must be addressed in the budget justification.

Potential applicants for CNSI SEED-TECH Grants are strongly encouraged to first consult with Sherylle Mills Englander (Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives and Operations) at CNSI before preparing and submitting a proposal. Please note that prior engagement with CNSI is not a prerequisite for applying for the CNSI SEED-TECH Grant.

Review Criteria

Proposals are evaluated by a committee according to the following criteria:

  1. Commercial and technical merit
  2. Potential impact of the funding
  3. Capabilities of the PI(s)
Reporting Requirements

Progress will be assessed via a combination of meetings and written reports.

Future funding is contingent upon the successful completion of proposed milestones and approval of required reports.