Sponsored Research and Development

Sponsored Research Agreements (SRAs) are an important and widely used mechanism for industry sponsorship of directed research in university laboratories.

In this type of arrangement, one or more companies fund a university researcher to conduct a specific project with defined objectives of interest to the companies. Typically, SRAs are used to perform specific tasks on known potential products or developing technologies. The NTI plays a vital role by matching the development needs of its corporate members to university laboratories, and providing matching funds to accelerate the development.

Nanotechnology Application Fund
The Nanotechnology Commercialization Group (NCG) provides commercialization services to NTI-member institutions through an Inter-Institutional Agreement with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

The NCG builds on the inherent strengths of each of its partners, which alone have already made great strides toward commercializing nano-scale scientific research. Services include evaluating intellectual property (IP) for commercial potential, devising a commercialization strategy, marketing the IP, facilitating the formation of a start-up company, and or negotiating licenses on behalf of the IP owners and participating institutions.

The agreement also establishes a Nanotechnology Proof of Concept Seed Fund through the NTI. The PoC Fund supports the costs of projects that are recommended by the NCG and approved by the PoC Fund Review Committee.

• Click here for examples of companies who have received Nanotechnology Application Funds.
• To apply for NAF funding, download the application form here (Word format).

For more information, contact:

Anthony P. Green, Ph.D., Director
anthony (at) sep.benfranklin.org
(215) 972-6700 x3713