UMBC Technology Catalyst Fund
Request for Proposals
FY 2026
Background: The UMBC
Office of Technology Development (OTD), under the Office of the Vice President
for Research, is continually seeking ways to help bridge the funding gap –
support that can be difficult to obtain from traditional funding sources. With
support provided by the State of Maryland, we are happy to announce our annual
Request for Proposals for the UMBC
Technology Catalyst Fund, a source designed to advance innovations
originating from UMBC research to more commercially viable technologies.
Additional proof-of-concept studies, extending data collection and prototype
development are examples of the essential steps needed to demonstrate
commercial potential.
A total of $100,000 is available annually for this initiative. UMBC plans to make several awards up to $25,000. Projects will be funded at the level deemed necessary to achieve the goals outlined in the proposal. Awards will be for a six- to twelve- month period and only proposals that can demonstrate achievable milestones within that time period will be selected for funding. One-time, no-cost extensions may be granted, subject to approval by the review committee. No overhead will apply.
Requirements: All UMBC members with Principal Investigator status are eligible to apply as long as the technology to be developed has been previously disclosed to OTD. We welcome projects from all disciplines and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations.
Criteria: All
proposals will be reviewed by a committee comprised of internal and outside
reviewers from the business community, and will be held confidential. PI’s
whose proposals are selected to continue onto the final round of evaluation
will be notified, and the PI will be invited to give a presentation to the
Review Committee.
The evaluation criteria will include factors such as:
· Significance of the market need and opportunity to impact the public.
· Competitive advantage the technology presents over current solutions.
· Probability that the project will result in additional funding or licensing.
· Probability that the research results will strengthen the patent position.
· Probability of reaching milestones within the time frame and budget.
Deadlines: OTD must be notified of your intent to submit a proposal by Friday, September 26, 2025. The final deadline for proposal submissions is Friday, October 17, 2025. Please be advised that several preliminary steps must be completed prior to final submission. Finalists must be available to present their proposals to the review committee on Friday, November 7, 2025. Awardees will be notified by the end of the year, with an anticipated starting date of January 12, 2026.
Contact: Interested applicants should contact Enidia Santiago-Arce, Assistant Director, OTD at esantia2@umbc.edu to request the Proposal Process and Executive Summary Checklist and the Cover Form.
A flyer is attached for Departmental display.
UMBC Technology Catalyst Fund
Request for Proposals
FY 2019
Background:
The UMBC Office of Technology Development (OTD), under the Office of the Vice
President for Research, is continually seeking ways to help bridge the funding
gap – support that can be difficult to obtain from traditional funding sources.
With support provided by the State of Maryland, we are happy to announce a new initiative,
the UMBC Technology Catalyst Fund,
which is designed to advance innovations originating from UMBC research to more
commercially viable technologies. Additional proof-of-concept studies,
extending data collection and prototype development are examples of the
essential steps needed to demonstrate commercial potential.
A total of $100,000 is available annually for this initiative. UMBC plans to make several awards up to $25,000. Projects will be funded at the level deemed necessary to achieve the goals outlined in the proposal. Awards will be for a six- to twelve- month period and only proposals that can demonstrate achievable milestones within that time period will be selected for funding. One-time, no-cost extensions may be granted, subject to approval by the review committee. No overhead will apply.
Requirements: All UMBC members with Principal Investigator status are eligible to apply as long as the technology to be developed has been previously disclosed to OTD. We welcome projects from all disciplines and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations.
Criteria: All
proposals will be reviewed by a committee comprised of faculty, administrative
research personnel and outside reviewers from the business community, and will
be held confidential. PI’s whose proposals are selected to continue onto the
final round of evaluation will be notified, and the PI will be invited to give
a presentation to the Review Committee. Finalists
must be available to present their proposals to the review committee on Friday,
November 16, 2018.
The evaluation criteria will include factors such as:
· Significance of the market need and opportunity to impact the public.
· Competitive advantage the technology presents over current solutions.
· Probability that the project will result in additional funding or licensing.
· Probability that the research results will strengthen the patent position.
· Probability of reaching milestones within the time frame and budget.
Deadlines: An initial draft proposal must be submitted by Wednesday, September 26, 2018. The final deadline for proposal submissions is Wednesday, October 17, 2018. Please be advised that several preliminary steps must be completed prior to final submission and applicants are advised to contact OTD at least 3 weeks in advance of the first deadline. Awards will be announced in the fall with an anticipated starting date of January 1, 2019.
Contact: Interested applicants should contact Paola Buitron, Technology
Manager, OTD at pbuitron@umbc.edu or call 443.543.5598 to request the Proposal Process and Executive Summary
Checklist and the Cover Form.
A flyer is attached for Departmental display.