MCNC RDI

MCNC-RDI and Grant Proposals: 

MCNC-RDI and Grant Proposals February 24, 2004

MCNC: Local resource, statewide impact: 

MCNC: Local resource, statewide impact Established in 1980 as Microelectronics Center of North Carolina Founded by NC General Assembly as non-profit, state-funded resource Expanded in 1985 to include NC Networking andamp; Supercomputing Provide high-speed network linking NC universities Provide common platform for statewide research for academic institutions Achieved in 1999 self-funded, private, non-profit research entity Split company in 2003 into: MCNC Research andamp; Development Institute MCNC Grid Computing andamp; Networking Services MCNC Ventures

MCNC-RDI Technology Focus Areas: 

MCNC-RDI Technology Focus Areas Novel Sensors and Actuators Biomedical / Environmental Materials andamp; Electronics Organic, Macro, and Opto electronics Display Technologies 3D Integration and Packaging Signal Electronics Network Security Optical Networks Networked Information Systems Services: Prototype Development Foundry Services, Analytical Services Test Bed Services

MCNC-RDI’s prototyping and R&D capabilities support biotechnology initiatives: 

MCNC-RDI’s prototyping and Randamp;D capabilities support biotechnology initiatives Focus on Biomedical Materials andamp; Electronics Bio/Chemical Sensors Implantable Devices Biomedical Diagnostics

MCNC-GCNS leads the grid computing initiatives in research and education in NC: 

MCNC-GCNS leads the grid computing initiatives in research and education in NC MCNC’s North Carolina Grid The Grid Technology and Evaluation Center (GTEC) Expert Grid researchers and consultants Statewide grid makes compute, storage, and data resources available to various applications and users Supports development, testing, and integration of grid technologies and novel applications - Cluster and high performance computing - Middleware services - Storage - Information security - Advanced networking Services offered on an a la carte and bundled basis Pay for what you use, saving the need to make large capital and resource investments MCNC-RDI Involved with research and development to enable next generation grids. Actively participates in standards process

MCNC Venture funds overview: 

MCNC Venture funds overview $25 million of capital for early stage investing Focus on the electronic, photonic and informational technology industries, as commensurate with the core technology capabilities of MCNC-RDI Focus on companies and VC’s located in North Carolina Leveraging MCNC-RDI’s knowledge and facilities Pursuit of close partnerships with the state’s VC community as well as the technology transfer offices of the area’s universities

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Federal Opportunities

MCNC-RDI History of Awards and Grants: 

MCNC-RDI History of Awards and Grants MCNC has a 20-year history of identifying, pursuing, and winning federal grants and earmarks Granting bodies include DOD - DARPA, ARO, ARL, NRO, NRL, AFRL NASA NIST NIH USPTO NASA DOL, DOE Success rates are strong but variable Depending on program, program manager, technology, timing, skill, and a little luck

General Grant Information: 

General Grant Information 900+ grant programs being offered by the Federal government 26 Federal grant-making agencies Over $350 billion annually awarded to state and local governments, academia, not-for-profits and other organizations Projects, dollar amount, and grant length can vary by agency List of codes can be found at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/funding/ac.pdf

Government Acronyms for potential grants: 

Government Acronyms for potential grants BAA – Broad Agency Announcements Provides general description of a program, identifies broad evaluation criteria, and solicits proposals for participation SSA – Sources-Sought Announcements SRA – Special Research Announcements SSA and SRA provide advance notice of DoD interest in a particular area of technology Are also a vehicle through which the DoD may develop competition within a technology area of survey the market for potential qualified offerors BRP - Bioengineering Research Partnerships BRG – Bioengineering Research Grants EBRG – Exploratory BRGs PA - Program Announcement Announces increased priority and/or emphasizes particular funding mechanisms for a specific area of science; applications accepted on standard receipt dates on an on-going basis PAR: a PA for which special referral guidelines apply, as described in the PAR. PAS: a PA that includes specific set-aside funds, as described in the PAS. RFA - Request for Applications: identifies a more narrowly defined area for which one or more NIH institutes have set aside funds for awarding grants; one receipt date. RFP – Request for Proposals solicits proposals for a contract; one receipt date

R21 (NIH) provides early stage development support: 

R21 (NIH) provides early stage development support Intended to encourage new, exploratory and developmental research projects Such projects could assess the feasibility of a novel area of investigation or a new experimental system These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models or applications that could have major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. Details Up to 2 years and $275,000 Normally, no more than $200,000 may be requested in any year New projects only; competing continuation applications will not be accepted R33 for this

R01 (NIH) – Large research grants: 

R01 (NIH) – Large research grants R-series grants are single research project grants For a project performed by one or more named investigator(s) in an area of specific interest and competence Often awarded to a consortium 3 Deadlines each year for new R01 applications: February 1, June 1, and October 1 These deadlines also apply to most other awards young scientists are likely to apply for, including research career awards, research center awards, and research program awards Note: Competing continuations, supplemental grants, and revised applications are due exactly 1 month later March 1, July 1, and November 1

R03 (NIH) promotes a research project limited by cost or scope: 

R03 (NIH) promotes a research project limited by cost or scope Using widely accepted approaches and methods Examples of projects include the following: Pilot or feasibility studies Secondary analysis of existing data Small, self-contained research projects Development of research methodology Development of new research technology Details Up to 2 years Direct costs up to two $25,000 modules or $50,000 per year New projects only; competing continuation applications will not be accepted. May not be used for thesis or dissertation research Only one revision of a previously reviewed small grant application may be submitted

Turnaround time for Grant notification: 

Turnaround time for Grant notification First notification: 4-6 months Funding Decision: 6-9 months Example: NIH R01 Submitted late August 2003 Peer review scored in March 2004 Funding decision May 2004 SBIR/STTR – similar timeframe However, the investment of time and money is a long-term benefit Credibility IP advancement Partnership opportunities

Use a targeted approach to select appropriate grants: 

Use a targeted approach to select appropriate grants Technology Homework (research) Federal budget FedBizOpps Grants.gov Science and Technology grants overview can be found at http://www.grants.gov/ScienceTechnology Contacts Counselors and consultants SBTDC

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Grant Resources

Grants.gov: The 2+ year old “overnight success”: 

Grants.gov: The 2+ year old 'overnight success' One of the 24 Federal cross-agency E-Government initiatives focused on improving access to services via the Internet The vision is to produce a simple, unified 'storefront' to electronically find, apply for, and manage grant opportunities Simplify the grant application process and reduce paperwork Recent Key Milestones on Grant.gov: 9/18/2003 - 'Find Grant Opportunities' Feature Now Available 10/20/2003 – Users may register for credentials 10/31/2003 – 'Apply for Grants' feature launched; Grants.gov fully integrated with the government-wide E-Authentication Gateway 11/7/2003 - Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has ordered all federal agencies to post grant announcements by this date

Hints about “FedBizOpps”: 

Hints about 'FedBizOpps' For larger grants, FedBizOpps can be a formality Largest proposals are usually procurement-related Several strong candidates likely Pre-selection processes include Whitepapers Outline submissions All solicitations for potential DoD contract awards larger than $25,000 must be advertised through www.fedbizopps.gov

Uncovering potential opportunities (1 of 2): 

Uncovering potential opportunities (1 of 2) Network, network, network Collaborate with other groups Ask your service providers and current partners for leads Pursue opportunities for 1:1s with program managers Industry Days Don’t be afraid to call and clarify opportunities

Uncovering potential opportunities (2 of 2): 

Uncovering potential opportunities (2 of 2) Work with non-profits and economic development organizations MCNC NCEITA SBTDC NC Biotech Center Piedmont Triad Partnership Coordinate with your congressman Make him/her aware of your capabilities Probably a more indirect rather than a direct reference; don’t expect too much Last but not least – Network, network, network (again)

NC State Representation on Federal Committees: 

Senator Elizabeth Dole Senator John Edwards Congressman David Price Congressman Mike McIntyre Congressman Brad Miller Congressman Richard Burr Congressman Bob Etheridge Senate Armed Services committee NC State Representation on Federal Committees Appropriations House Armed Services committee Committee on Science Committee on Energy and Commerce (Vice-Chair) Select Committee on Homeland Security Intelligence committee Current as of July 9, 2003

Tips for successful grant applications: 

Tips for successful grant applications Follow all the details and formalities Some agencies (e.g. DHS, TSWG) are very competitive and have a very low percentage of applications funded The more competitive the proposal, the more detailed you will need to be If you don’t succeed, ask for feedback from the program director If you do succeed, remember learnings for next time Re-submit If you have the time and have a strong score

Slide23: 

Collaboration Opportunities with MCNC-RDI

Joint Opportunities for Entrepreneurial Companies and MCNC-RDI: 

Joint Opportunities for Entrepreneurial Companies and MCNC-RDI Consortium development Partnership on federal grant or funding opportunities Joint component design and development for new or existing products Technology licensing to boost product development and IP platform Fabrication and analytical testing of engineered components

How do I pursue these great opportunities?: 

How do I pursue these great opportunities? Develop your own list of possible grants Create a team or consortium MCNC can participate as a subcontractor on SBIR grants Contact us as a potential partner MCNC brings companies both skilled researchers and in-depth development capabilities in multiple technologies

Slide26: 

World class research team 20-year proven track record in government contract research Unique capabilities and infrastructure Technical depth, stable staff Extensive facilities and resources focused on helping North Carolina