FAQs
FAQs For Applicants:
What stage of projects should apply?
While there is no hard and fast rule on the maturity of the project, the ideal PoP application has a solid technology foundation, has a good idea of what target customers and needs they will help fulfill, and understand the next step in proving their technology can better meet those needs.
How many projects are funded?
The number of proposals funded each Round depends on the quantity and quality of proposal submitted, but we anticipate from 4 to 8 per Round.
How much funding does an awarded project receive?
Funded projects can receive up to $100,000. The exact amount will vary by proposal and awarded projects are not guaranteed the full funding requested. Final decision on amount of funding per proposal will be made by UCI Beall Applied Innovation with input from external Reviewers with domain expertise.
What are appropriate use of PoP funds?
PoP funds can be used for animal testing and services, subcontracted studies (including animal research facilities), reagents, tools, and personnel cost that serve the aims and objectives of the project. Funds cannot be used for personal computers, faculty or administrative salaries, and patent costs. Budgeting for equipment is generally discouraged unless the equipment is essential to the development of the project and not available elsewhere at UCI.
What’s the expected outcome of a PoP-funded project (short-term and long-term)?
The short-term expectation is for the project team to achieve the aims and objectives and provide a report of accomplishments laid out in their proposal during the 6 month performance period. Teams should have a much better understanding of the commercial value of the technology after completion of the PoP project. As for long-term expectations, see “What comes after PoP?”
Can I apply for PoP multiple times? Can I submit multiple proposals per round?
Yes, you can apply for PoP multiple times (especially if it’s associated with different UCI case numbers). Yes, you can submit multiple proposals per round if they are associated with different UCI case numbers.
What comes after PoP?
If you’ve completed BAI’s regional I-Corps program, we encourage teams to pursue National I-Corps. If your PoP-funded project is successful, you could work with BAI’s Research Translation Group (RTG) to patent your invention. From there, you could either license it to an existing company or start your own, with support from BAI’s New Venture Group (NVG). NVG can also help you apply for SBIR/STTR grants and seek funding from investors.
While there is no hard and fast rule on the maturity of the project, the ideal PoP application has a solid technology foundation, has a good idea of what target customers and needs they will help fulfill, and understand the next step in proving their technology can better meet those needs.
How many projects are funded?
The number of proposals funded each Round depends on the quantity and quality of proposal submitted, but we anticipate from 4 to 8 per Round.
How much funding does an awarded project receive?
Funded projects can receive up to $100,000. The exact amount will vary by proposal and awarded projects are not guaranteed the full funding requested. Final decision on amount of funding per proposal will be made by UCI Beall Applied Innovation with input from external Reviewers with domain expertise.
What are appropriate use of PoP funds?
PoP funds can be used for animal testing and services, subcontracted studies (including animal research facilities), reagents, tools, and personnel cost that serve the aims and objectives of the project. Funds cannot be used for personal computers, faculty or administrative salaries, and patent costs. Budgeting for equipment is generally discouraged unless the equipment is essential to the development of the project and not available elsewhere at UCI.
What’s the expected outcome of a PoP-funded project (short-term and long-term)?
The short-term expectation is for the project team to achieve the aims and objectives and provide a report of accomplishments laid out in their proposal during the 6 month performance period. Teams should have a much better understanding of the commercial value of the technology after completion of the PoP project. As for long-term expectations, see “What comes after PoP?”
Can I apply for PoP multiple times? Can I submit multiple proposals per round?
Yes, you can apply for PoP multiple times (especially if it’s associated with different UCI case numbers). Yes, you can submit multiple proposals per round if they are associated with different UCI case numbers.
What comes after PoP?
If you’ve completed BAI’s regional I-Corps program, we encourage teams to pursue National I-Corps. If your PoP-funded project is successful, you could work with BAI’s Research Translation Group (RTG) to patent your invention. From there, you could either license it to an existing company or start your own, with support from BAI’s New Venture Group (NVG). NVG can also help you apply for SBIR/STTR grants and seek funding from investors.
FAQs For Reviewers:
What is the purpose of PoP?
To provide faculty researchers with industry insights and validation of product/market fit through expert understanding of unmet market needs so researchers can accelerate the commercialization of their technology.
What stage, generally, are PoP projects?
Technologically mature but still commercially early. Generally, projects looking to derisk the next relevant commercial milestone (including R&D work) but the feasibility of the underlying technology has already been demonstrated in a university research lab
What’s the expected outcome of a PoP-funded project (short-term and long-term)?
Short-term expectation is to bring the technology and/or product closer to market by addressing an immediate commercial concern. Long-term expectation is for PoP to accelerate the time to market for promising technologies that might otherwise languish due to lack of resources.
How are PoP funds used?
PoP funds are used by the research lab to enable additional development work that can help address concerns for future investors. This might include, but are not limited to, showing basic product capabilities, developing a prototype device/product, or demonstrating manufacturing scalability.
Can I offer my paid services?
Not as a part of the review. Keep in mind that reviews are provided on a single-blinded basis so the proposal author(s) are not aware of the reviewer’s identity. Should there be a fruitful collaboration opportunity, both parties may agree to un-blind to pursue the partnership. If a business relationship is initiated between a Reviewer and an Applicant, UCI BAI requests the Reviewer notify the PoP Grants Program Manager immediately to ensure all parties avoid conflicts-of-interest.
To provide faculty researchers with industry insights and validation of product/market fit through expert understanding of unmet market needs so researchers can accelerate the commercialization of their technology.
What stage, generally, are PoP projects?
Technologically mature but still commercially early. Generally, projects looking to derisk the next relevant commercial milestone (including R&D work) but the feasibility of the underlying technology has already been demonstrated in a university research lab
What’s the expected outcome of a PoP-funded project (short-term and long-term)?
Short-term expectation is to bring the technology and/or product closer to market by addressing an immediate commercial concern. Long-term expectation is for PoP to accelerate the time to market for promising technologies that might otherwise languish due to lack of resources.
How are PoP funds used?
PoP funds are used by the research lab to enable additional development work that can help address concerns for future investors. This might include, but are not limited to, showing basic product capabilities, developing a prototype device/product, or demonstrating manufacturing scalability.
Can I offer my paid services?
Not as a part of the review. Keep in mind that reviews are provided on a single-blinded basis so the proposal author(s) are not aware of the reviewer’s identity. Should there be a fruitful collaboration opportunity, both parties may agree to un-blind to pursue the partnership. If a business relationship is initiated between a Reviewer and an Applicant, UCI BAI requests the Reviewer notify the PoP Grants Program Manager immediately to ensure all parties avoid conflicts-of-interest.