The University of Iowa Office of the Vice President for Research and the Iowa Centers for Enterprise are seeking proposals for the Grow Iowa Values Fund (GIVF) Seed Grant program.
GIVF program is designed to expand the commercialization of UI technology and is supported by Iowa Economic Development appropriations to the Board of Regents. For complete details see the GIVF Seed Grant Guidelines at research.uiowa.edu/content/grow-iowa-values-fund-givf-seed-grant-program. Deadline for applications is Sept. 30.
A total of $250,000 in grant funding will be available. Funding per project is expected to range from $10,000 to $50,000.
The funds support the development of innovations with commercial potential, with the anticipated result being that more UI technology reaches the marketplace. The funding is intended to support a wide range of stages in technology development, from initial concept (prior to intellectual property disclosure), to proof of concept, to licensing and commercialization. Existing industry connections are not a prerequisite for funding; however, all projects should have a clear commercial benefit or potential for the state of Iowa. Interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged.
Proposals will be evaluated for their potential to grow and enhance Iowa’s economy with UI technology. Each project will be ranked according to the following criteria (listed in order of importance):
- Commercial viability: How likely is it that, if the project is successful, there is a viable commercial development path?
- Technological viability: How likely is it that, if the project is successful, there is a continuing and viable technological development path?
- Project viability: How likely is it that the project endpoints can be achieved within budget and five-month timeframe?