Commercialisation Fund for 3rd Level Researchers

Overview
Am I eligible?
Maximum funding level
How to apply
Call close date
Contact

Overview

The aim of the Commercialisation Fund Programme is to improve the competitiveness of the Irish economy through the creation of technology based start-up companies and the transfer of innovative technologies developed in Higher Education Institutes and Research Performing Organisations to industry in Ireland. 

In 2012, the programme will fund the development of innovative technologies at all stages of the commercial pipeline from early stage research through technology development to the point where the technology can be commercialised as new products, services and companies.

Commercialisation Fund Support is available for projects that address a gap or need in the market by developing innovative technologies that will ideally be ready for licensing to Irish industry or may form the basis of a new start-up in 2-5 years. It is recognised however that some technologies may need a longer time to get to market than others.

Funding is also available in the form of a Commercial Case Feasibility Grant to investigate, scope and develop a commercial case for your technology in advance of submitting a Commercialisation Fund support application to the programme.

Am I eligible?

Researchers in third level institutions and non-profit research agencies and organisations in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply.

Maximum funding level

Proposals with costs ranging from €80,000 to €350,000 from all disciplines in the field of science and engineering will be accepted.

How to apply

• You should seek the advice of your Technology Transfer Office (or equivalent) and Enterprise Ireland at least one month before planning your application.
• Review the CF2012 Reference Document.
• Review the Guidelines for Completing CF2012 standard application form.
• Download and complete the CF2012 Standard Application Form.
• Consult Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) when completing the application form.
• Post the Application Form complete with the relevant signatures to the:

Contracts Unit - Commercialisation Fund Programme,
Enterprise Ireland,
East Point Business Park,
The Plaza,
Dublin 3.

• Email a copy of the proposal as a single MS Word document to commercialisation.fund@enterprise-ireland.com
  
  
  

Call close date

The first Call for Applications in 2012 will close at noon on 7th March, 2012.

Proposals can also be invited at any time by a Director of Enterprise Ireland's three Technology Directorates, namely Lifesciences and Food, ICT and Industrial Technologies. Invited proposals may include:

• Resubmissions from a previous call where the proposals have been strengthened based on the panel comments and the Director is satisfied to invite the proposal for submission.
• Proposals where the commercial case for the technology has been well developed through interaction with the Technology Transfer Office or equivalent office and Enterprise Ireland and the Director is satisfied to invite the proposal for submission.

Contact

For further information, please contact:

Majella Maher,
Programme Manager,
Enterprise Ireland,
IDA Business Park,
Mervue,
Galway.
Tel. +353 91 735927

Majella Maher

For more information on programmes and supports for commercialisation of college-based research, go to the Researchers section of the website.