Robert Draper Technology Innovation Fund (TIF) Grants
Program Description
The Draper Technology Innovation Fund (TIF) provides a mechanism to support the additional research often necessary to bring new concepts and inventions to the patent and licensing stage. The program goal is the eventual introduction of new products and processes into the market place for the public good. Funds can be used to support efforts to enhance the scope or patentability of inventions and assist with their potential licensing to the commercial sector. Examples of research activities include prototype development, preparation of samples for evaluation, and application testing.
Eligibility
Applicants must be University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty members or academic staff. A formal University invention disclosure must have been accepted by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). Applicants must be in residence on the Madison campus during the funding period.
Funding Facts
Awards are subject to the availability of funds, therefore, we recommend that you contact The Graduate School (see contact information below) prior to submitting a request for funding. Proposals are funded at a level of effort necessary to achieve research objectives. Awards cannot exceed $50,000. Funding is made available throughout the calendar year. Proposals normally are funded for up to twelve months of effort.
2012-13 TIF Competitions
Deadlines in 2012-13:
- July 30, 2012
- October 29, 2012
- January 29, 2013
- April 29, 2013
Contact your school/college for deadlines for internal review of proposals by school/college administrators. Internal review deadlines may be a week or more prior to submission to the Graduate School.
The TIF proposal cover page and two-page budget form are available in Microsoft Word format below.
Draper TIF Proposal Instructions (PDF)
Draper TIF Cover Page (MS Word)
Draper TIF Budget Form (MS Word)
TIF Reports
The deadline for reports regarding TIF grants receiving funding during the 2011-12 fiscal year is September 21, 2012. A NetID and password are required in order to upload a report. Reports need to be filed electronically at https://my.gradsch.wisc.edu/grantscomp/iedr/tifReport.pl
Previous TIF Grant Recipients (PDF)
For additional information contact gsgrants@grad.wisc.edu.