American Commercialization Institute	American Commercialization Institute
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Washington , DC 20004
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Fax:  	 (202)349 4099
E-mail: 	info@aci.org	

Research / Commercialization Grant Application

Proposals must be submitted as an attachment electronically in Word format. The Proposal must be concise, detailed, and easy to follow.  Explain your entire procedure, and do not be general or ambiguous. Meaningful graphics, diagrams, photos of the mockup / product and charts make the Grant Application easier to read and review.

Title of Application     ____________________________________________ Date: _______________
Proposed Project Cost ________________

Principal Investigator ___________________________________________
POSITION TITLE/Dept.
_____________________   ________________________
_____________________   ________________________	Name of Research Institution / Company (Mailing address: street, city, state and zip) _________________________________________
_________________________________________
	
Phone:__________________    Fax:________________	E-mail:______________ 
Web:________________	

Identification and Significance of Problem (~1/2 page) In this section, you will:
•	Identify the problem that you intend to solve with your innovation research.
•	What is the proposed innovation?
•	Why are you proposing this innovation?
•	Discuss the significance of the problem.   What is the impact that your innovation could have on society?
•	Include any statistics or research you have gathered to support these claims.

Background (~1/2 page) In this section, you will give background information on the proposed innovation, including but not limited to:
•	When the “light-bulb” came on…how was the idea born?
•	General discussion of the proposed innovation, related products, your experiences, etc.
•	Brief background on your company and how you are poised to pursue this idea.
Approach (~1/2 page) In this section, state your approach to solve the identified “problem”
•	Scope (what are your expected outcomes).
•	Identify potential barriers.
•	Proposed methods to overcome barriers.

Work Plan (~1 page)  It is imperative that this section be detailed, specific, and to the point.  Do not be general or ambiguous.  Discuss the following as a minimum:
•	How will the work be performed? 
•	Who will perform the work? 
•	What resources will be used?
•	What are the expected results?
•	What are the anticipated risks and workarounds if any?

Related Research or R&D (   )In this section, identify the following if applicable:

•	Related R&D that you and/or your company or team members have been involved in.
•	Related R&D that others have been involved in.  

Key Personnel List and give a brief description including their roles and responsibilities of all personnel who will be involved in this project.

Previous Grant Experience Mention the PI’s, other team member’s and the company’s previous grant experience, including both successes and failed proposals. Do not be afraid to say that you have no experience.

PART I - Research Proposal

1. Non-Confidential Abstract of Research Plan:  State the application’s broad, long-term objectives and specific aims, making reference to the commercial potential of the project.  Describe concisely the research design and methods for achieving these goals and discuss the potential of the research for technological innovation.  Avoid summaries of past accomplishments and the use of the first person.  This abstract is meant to serve as a succinct and accurate description of the proposed work when separated from the application. 500 WORDS Maximum.

2. Commercialization Plan:  Provide a brief summary of planned commercialization path and applications of the research including analysis of market potential. 500 WORDS Maximum.

3. Research Plan:  On separate sheets, please include:
	A. Specific Aims.  State concisely what the proposed research is intended to accomplish in terms of its potential for scientific or technological innovation & commercial application.  (limit to one page)

	B.  Significance.  Briefly sketch the background to the present grant application, critically evaluate existing knowledge, and specifically identify the commercial opportunities which the project is intended to address.  State concisely the importance of the proposed research by relating its specific aims to future commercial development objectives.  Include a time-line for commercial development.  If the project does not currently include a corporate sponsor, please indicate companies that may be interested in the commercial development of this project. (limit to one page)
	
	C.  Preliminary Evidence/Feasibility. Outline the scientific/engineering evidence, performed by the PI or co-investigator(s), that supports the development of this technology.  (limit to three pages)
	
	D.  Experimental Design & Methods.  Discuss the experimental design, and the means by which the data will be analyzed and interpreted.  Discuss potential difficulties and alternative approaches to achieve the aims.  (limit to three pages)

	E.  Economic Impact.  Indicate the economic impact or projected impact on the collaborating company of the proposed project for the next five years in terms of jobs created, jobs retained, increased sales or grant revenue or other projected impact.  In general terms, discuss the impact the project could have on the company long term if successful.  Include new market applications, improved competitiveness, etc.  If this is a continuation, please include actual impact to date and progress toward commercialization.  (limit to one page)

4. Complete the attached Budget form.
5. Budget Justification (limit to one page).

6.  Provide a biographical sketch (NIH form) for the Principal Investigator(s) and each Co-Investigator (limit to 2 pages per investigator).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Provide the following information for the key personnel in the order listed.
Follow the sample format for each person. DO NOT EXCEED TWO PAGES.	
	
NAME
     	POSITION TITLE
     	
EDUCATION/TRAINING  (Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing, and include postdoctoral training.)	
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION	DEGREE
(if applicable)	YEAR(s)	FIELD OF STUDY	

POSITIONS, HONORS AND EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: (Concluding with present position, list in chronological order, previous employment, experience, and honors.  Include present membership on any Federal Government public advisory committee.  DO NOT EXCEED TWO PAGES.)

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS: (List, in chronological order, the titles, all authors, and complete references to all publications during the past three years and to representative earlier publications pertinent to this application.  If the list of publications in the last three years exceeds two pages, select the most pertinent publications.)

7.  Facilities:  On a separate sheet, specify and describe all the facilities available to be used for the conduct of the proposed research.  Indicate the performance sites and describe capacities, pertinent capabilities, relative proximity, and extent of availability to the project.  Under “Other,” identify support services such as machine shop, electronics shop, and specify the extent to which they will be available to the project.  Use the following format (include all facilities available).
	Laboratory:
Clinical:
Animal:	
Computer:
Office:
Other:
Major equipment:  List most important items already available for this project, noting location and pertinent capabilities of each.
 
8.  Has the technology discussed in this proposal been disclosed, patented, or licensed?  If patented, please give patent number(s) and country (countries); if disclosed, give date of disclosure. Has the technology previously received investments, industrial support or grants? If yes, please indicate investors, corporate sponsor/licensees, grant organizations funding amounts and dates. Include information on pending or plans for submitting SBIR, STTR, any other grants and other technology transfer funding applications.

9.  Is this or a related proposal currently under review by other funding agencies? On a separate sheet, provide the following information for each current and pending research project for each Principal Investigator and each Co-Investigator.  Use the following format:	Name of Investigator:
	Title of Project:						Project Number and Agency:
	%Effort:               		Duration of Award:              	Total Annual Support:            	Total Support:	Potential overlap with this Proposal:

10. Recommended Reviewers. We strive to achieve appropriate peer review for all proposals. Applicants are encouraged to submit the names and / or letters of support from potential qualified scientific, economic development, government and business reviewers.

BUDGET REQUESTED

From _______________________ To ____________________________

PI / Co-PI’s  Name                   Title                                              Role on Project	% Time	Salary	Fringe Benefits	Total	

PERSONNEL:  (List all personnel from academic institution only)					

					

					

Subtotal Personnel			
                       (a)		

EQUIPMENT   (Itemize)

                       (b)		

ANIMAL RESEARCH: (Include description, purchase price and maintenance)

                       (c)		

SUPPLIES: (Itemize by category)			

                       (d)		

OTHER EXPENSES: (Itemize by category. Costs for travel, entertainment, or legal fees, etc)	

                       (e)		

TOTAL COSTS   					
 
Part II - Business Proposal (Total of 12-15 pages)
Please answer all of the questions bellow for an existing company that will commercialize the products / technology developed based on the research plan (Part I of this proposal), or for a new company that will be created based on the products / technology developed based on the research plan (Part I of this proposal).
A. Introduction
a. Description of the company
b. Commercialization Plan Overview 
i. Description of the market for the technology being developed
1. Who is the target market (Who will buy this?)
2. What is the size of the potential market
3. How will the market needs be met with specific products/services
ii. Who is the competition for this market
iii. What are your plans to commercialize the products or services?

B. Project Technical Proposal 

a. Explanation of the product/service to be developed 
b. Explanation of how the project fits within the commercialization plan
c. Details of the proposed project, including
i. Specific technical milestones
ii. If applicable, a drawing or schematic of the project
iii. Description of the work to be performed
iv. Personnel involved- summary of their qualifications

C. Information on related intellectual property (IP) protection (usually patents) 

a. Description of patents or other IP owned or licensed by the company
b. Major terms of any technology licenses on key IP

D. Explanation of the collaborative connection with a Federal Laboratory or University

E. Description of the management and technical staff and their experience

F. Financials

a. Historical statements
b. Projections - cash flow, income statements and balance sheet - 3-5 years
c. Assumptions on which financial projections are based
G. Acknowledgement of Need
Proof that the technology / product satisfies a need (preferably there is an acknowledged need). "Acknowledged" means attached are references to the need – articles describing the need, potential customer survey, letters from companies (potential or real customers and partners), etc.