Deadline: 03-Jul-2020
Applications are now open for the Commercialisation Fund programme for 3rd Level Researchers.
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 innovations developed in 3rd level institutions to Irish industry.
The programme will fund the development of innovations at all stages of the commercial pipeline to the point where they can be commercialised as new products, services and companies.
Support
The Commercialisation Fund Programme comprises the following funding supports:
- Commercial Case Feasibility Support
- Enterprise Ireland recognises the need for business development expertise to complement researchers’ technical expertise, to develop strong commercialisation strategies for innovations. To this end, funding is provided to researchers in partnership with their Technology Transfer (TTO) or equivalent office to scope and develop the commercial case for their innovation in line with information required to complete the ‘Technical and Commercial Information’ section of the CF Project Support application. Researchers who have not had funding previously from the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund Programme are particularly encouraged to consider this support. Support is provided to assist the project team to:
- Perform primary and secondary market analysis to identify the commercial opportunity/ies for the innovation
- Engage with customers, end-users, Industries and other relevant stakeholders particularly focussing on developing the exploitation route in Ireland
- Profile emerging and existing competitor landscape for the innovation
- Perform patent landscaping and plan IP strategy
- Investigate potential routes to exploitation for the innovation to the economic benefit of Ireland
- Understand the regulatory issues or other barriers/hurdles to commercialisation
- Create a small demonstration or early prototype.
- Enterprise Ireland recognises the need for business development expertise to complement researchers’ technical expertise, to develop strong commercialisation strategies for innovations. To this end, funding is provided to researchers in partnership with their Technology Transfer (TTO) or equivalent office to scope and develop the commercial case for their innovation in line with information required to complete the ‘Technical and Commercial Information’ section of the CF Project Support application. Researchers who have not had funding previously from the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund Programme are particularly encouraged to consider this support. Support is provided to assist the project team to:
- Commercialization Fund Project Support
- This support is available for projects to address a gap or need in the market by developing innovations 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 innovations may need a longer time to get to market than others.
Funding Information
Proposals with costs typically ranging from €80,000 to €350,000 from all disciplines in the field of science and engineering will be accepted. Proposals with costs outside this range will be considered on a case by case basis.
Eligibility Criteria
- All researchers in the third-level sector and non-profit research agencies and organisations in the republic of Ireland including staff on contract (e.g. Post-doctoral scientists) can apply.
- Note: Due to the staged nature of the programme, commercialisation fund projects are typically not considered suitable for researchers completing PhDs or Masters qualifications.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by a minimum of two evaluators including at least one relevant external reviewer. The evaluation assesses a number of criteria including:
- Innovation and Technology Development o Level of Innovation
- Technical
- Feasibility
- Commercial Opportunity
- Size of the opportunity
- Validation of the market
- Exploitation and Economic Impact
- Opportunity for Ireland
- Route to exploitation
- Project team, Workplan and Management
- Skills, resources and capability to deliver the project
- Project plan and deliverables
- Project Costs
- Value for money
For more information, visit https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/researcher/funding-to-commercialise-research/commercialisation-fund.html