Next Steps to the Market (NSM) is an experimental CRDF program designed to increase CRDF support for collaborations leading to applications with market potential. It stimulates cooperation in applied R&D by supporting projects likely to facilitate and expedite the commercial utilization of research results. Teams of US-FSU researchers including a US for-profit institution are eligible to apply. Investigators who have already received support through competitive CRDF awards will receive priority consideration.

The CRDF's investment in each project will generally not exceed $50,000. The US for-profit partner must be prepared to make a substantial investment in the project -- typically at least half of the total estimated cost of the project, including both US and FSU expenses. The US partner should furthermore agree to dedicate a portion of its investment to FSU participant expenses. At least 80% of the CRDF's investment will be so dedicated. However, the CRDF may support mutually agreed upon US-side expenses, such as travel, which may be necessary in connection with the collaboration and which the US for-profit partner cannot cover - e.g., transportation of US non-profit research partners or travel of FSU researchers to the US.

The US and FSU partners must agree to some form of payback to the CRDF if income results from the project, and they are required to reach written agreement on the allocation of intellectual property rights resulting from research under the NSM program. Both of these agreements must be concluded to the satisfaction of CRDF.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

1. COOPERATIVE R&D PROJECTS

   Cooperative R&D Projects must be carried out by a team of US and FSU partners. The primary US partner must be a for-profit corporation which agrees to the CRDF's requirements for cost-sharing and payback. Researchers from US non-profit institutions may also be included in the proposal. The FSU partner is typically a research scientist or team based in a research or educational institution or enterprise.
   

   Typically, alumni/ae of the CRDF Travel Grant Program whose visits in the United States have resulted in promising opportunities for commercial development of R&D products will be the primary applicants for this mode of support. In special circumstances, the CRDF will also consider ad hoc proposals from other applicants that further the objectives of the program.

   BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

   Business Development Activities (BDA) are those that facilitate the transformation of research results into commercial products. Examples of such activities include:

   • Training in business practices, management, intellectual property issues, etc.
   • Assistance in preparing a business plan, conducting a patent search, or locating professional counsel in the United States on intellectual property matters
   • Participation in technical meetings, trade shows, etc. to present or demonstrate potentially marketable technologies
   • Developmental follow-on to research in progress or already carried out, where such follow-on will provide data or other support for demonstrating technologies to potential entrepreneurs or investors

   Applicants for BDA support will typically be current recipients of CRDF cooperative research grants. For-profit partners identi- fied by the US-FSU teams may be included in business development proposals.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals to the NSM program will be evaluated for technical merit and business viability. Potential contributions of the project to the CRDF's mission and the priorities of the CRDF's counterpart agencies in the FSU will also be considered.

Applicants may suggest reviewers whose experience with the technology or the business area in question makes them particularly well-suited to participate in the review.

PROTECTION OF BUSINESS-CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Applicants are responsible for identifying any business-confidential information contained in their proposals. Such information will be available only to reviewers and to CRDF staff. Applicants may also specify particular organizations or individuals whose access to their proposals would compromise business-sensitive information.

PROPOSALS

Proposals to the Next Steps program should focus on one activity that the principal investigators and their respective institutions feel will most help the project to advance toward the marketplace. Proposals must be in English and may be submitted to CRDF at any time until 31 December 1997 or until the CRDF, at its own discretion, closes the program.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Application forms and full guidelines for this and other CRDF programs are available by writing the address or e-mail provided above, or through the CRDF Web site.

--------------------------------------------------------
To support a project through CRDF, or to donate funds to
further CRDF's work in  building mutually beneficial R&D
cooperation with the former Soviet Union, please contact
Dr.  John  C. Courtney,  CRDF Chief Financial Officer at
the  address  above,  or  by  e-mail  [email protected]
--------------------------------------------------------

The URL for this page is: http://www.friends-partners.org/~ccsi/announce/nsm-crdf.htm
Last updated: December 4, 1997

Center for Civil Society International [email protected]