Maximizing Technology Commercialization of Federal Research Investments through the Best Practices at Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities | 2017 NIST TPO 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for 2017 NIST TPO 01

This grant opportunity, titled "Maximizing Technology Commercialization of Federal Research Investments through the Best Practices at Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities," is a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) funding notice under the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is built around a simple problem: the federal government spends enormous sums on research and development (over $140 billion per year, including more than $50 billion in extramural university, company, and nonprofit research), but the public benefit of that investment depends heavily on how effectively research results are converted into real-world products, services, startups, jobs, and broader economic impact. Under the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 (as amended), the Department of Commerce, through NIST, has an explicit role in promoting the commercialization of inventions and technologies that come out of federally funded research across agencies. This program is meant to support that mission by studying which university practices actually work best and how collaboration structures can be improved.

The specific work NIST is asking for is a one-year study focused on universities designated as Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities (IEPUs) by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). In practice, that means the funded project would examine how these recognized institutions approach innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and commercialization, and then identify effective, repeatable best practices. Alongside the internal university practices, the study is also intended to review and evaluate existing technology-based collaborations between IEPUs and outside technology development entities. Those partners can include Federal research laboratories (FRLs), which are often key players in moving technologies from early-stage research toward prototypes, validation, and deployment. The purpose is not only to describe what collaborations exist, but to assess how well they function, what barriers slow them down, and what models appear most successful in producing commercialization outcomes.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity using a cooperative agreement, meaning NIST expects to have substantial involvement during the period of performance rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The funding activity category is science and technology and other research and development, and the CFDA listing is 11.620. NIST planned to make a single award (expected awards: 1). The original posting date was May 11, 2017, with an original closing date of July 10, 2017. The public summary does not list an award ceiling amount, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement/NOFO for the budget range, allowable cost categories, and any cost principles or matching expectations.

Eligibility is intentionally broad. The competition is open to non-Federal entities, including U.S. institutions of higher education, U.S.-incorporated nonprofit organizations, U.S.-incorporated for-profit organizations, and state, local, territorial, and Indian tribal governments, as well as hospitals. It also allows foreign public entities and foreign governments to apply, which is unusual compared to many federal R&D opportunities and signals that NIST may be open to international perspectives on commercialization systems, provided all requirements in the NOFO are met. Applicants may apply alone or propose a team structure that includes sub-awardees, contractors, or other collaborators, which fits the nature of the work since evaluating commercialization ecosystems often benefits from mixed expertise (technology transfer, economic development, policy analysis, data analytics, and research management). At the same time, the notice is clear that individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not eligible, because they do not qualify as non-Federal entities for the purposes of this NOFO.

In plain terms, NIST is trying to use a targeted study to extract practical lessons from universities already recognized for economic and innovation impact, map how they collaborate with technology development partners (including federal labs), and turn those findings into guidance that can improve commercialization outcomes from federally funded research. The end goal is to strengthen the pathway from taxpayer-funded research to societal and economic returns, using evidence-based best practices rather than anecdotes or one-off success stories.

• The National Institute of Standards and Technology in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maximizing Technology Commercialization of Federal Research Investments through the Best Practices at Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.620.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-05-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-07-10. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 2017 NIST TPO 01

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