MCNC-RDI and Grant ProposalsApril 13, 2004

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 & 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 & Development Institute• MCNC Grid Computing & Networking Services• MCNC Ventures

MCNC-RDI Technology Focus Areas

• Novel Sensors and Actuators

• Biomedical / Environmental Materials & Electronics

• Organic, Macro, and Opto electronics

• Display Technologies

• 3D Integration and Advanced Electronic 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

Focus on Biomedical Materials & Electronics

• Bio/Chemical Sensors

• Implantable Devices

• Biomedical Diagnostics

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-RDIInvolved with research and development to enable next generation grids. Actively participates in standards process

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

Federal Opportunities

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• 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 NIH codes can be found at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/funding/ac.pdf

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

– Also serve so DoD may develop competition within a technology area what is the market for potential qualified offerors

• BRP - Bioengineering Research Partnerships

• BRG – Bioengineering Research Grants

• EBRG – Exploratory BRGs• PA - Program Announcement

– 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

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

R21 (NIH) - Early stage development support

• Intended to encourage new, exploratory and developmental research projects

– Assess the feasibility of a novel area of investigation or a new experimental system

– Considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models or applications

– Seeking a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research

• Details– Modular Format– Up to 2 years and $275,000 in direct costs– Normally, no more than $200,000 may be requested in any year – New projects only; competing continuation applications will not be

accepted

R03 (NIH) - Projects 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

• 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

• Technology (align with your core competencies)• 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

Grant Resources

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 Grants.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”

• 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

• 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

• Work with non-profits and economic development organizations

– MCNC– NCEITA– SBTDC– NC Biotech Center

• 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)

• 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 Intelligence• Select Committee on Homeland

Security

• Intelligence committee

Current as of March, 2004

Tips for successful grant applications

• Follow all the details and formalities– Some agencies (e.g. DHS, TSWG) are very competitive - very

low percentage of applications funded– The more competitive the proposal, the more detail required

• If you don’t succeed, ask for feedback from the program director

– If you do succeed, remember input for next time

• Re-submit– If you have the time and have a strong score

Collaboration Opportunities with 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?

• 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

• 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

MCNC-RDI Contact Information

Erika Hanley-OnkenBusiness Development Manager

(919) 248-9247eonken@mcnc.orgwww.mcnc.org/rdi

Barbara CaponeDirector, Marketing Programs

(919) 248-4148bcapone@mcnc.org