Accelerator Awards Frequently Asked Questions

The Accelerator Awards are partially funded through the Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Startup Fund (TVSF) Phase 1 program. This is a grant that is awarded to the university as a sponsored research award. As a requirement of the award matching cost-share funds must be provided by the university. This pool of sponsored and cost-share funds is used for the Accelerator Awards program, which is administered by Innovation and Commercialization at The Ohio State University. 

The aim of the Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Start-up Fund is to create greater economic growth in Ohio through the creation of startup companies that commercialize technologies developed by Ohio institutions of higher education. TVSF can be divided into two separate mechanisms: Technology Validation Phase 1 (Accelerator Awards or similar programs at Ohio Institutions) and the Start-Up Fund Phase 2. The purpose of the phase I and the Accelerator Awards is to generate the proof needed to advance technologies to the point that they are either  ready to be licensed by an Ohio-based startup company upon completion of the project or determined to be  unfeasible for commercialization. Phase 2 funding supports Ohio-based startup companies that intend to license technology developed at Ohio State during the critical early life of the company and accelerate the time to market by obtaining either a first customer or investment by the conclusion of the grant term. The lead applicant for an Accelerator Award is an Ohio State faculty member with principal investigator status, whereas the lead applicant for TVSF Phase 2 funding is the startup company.

If a technology received an Accelerator Award, the project must be complete with affirmative results before applying for TVSF Phase 2 funding. The Phase 2 application will require submission of a summary of the Accelerator Award project, including metrics that indicate successful completion and the validation/proof process employed.

Typically, 15 to 25 applications may be submitted per cycle.  An estimated 6-12 applicants may be invited to make a pitch presentation to the Selection Committee. The number of projects awarded may vary each cycle. Technologies are selected for an award recommendation based on merit and there is not a set limit per cycle. On average, 8-9 projects per year have been funded. 

There are two funding cycles of each year with pre-proposal submissions due in the Fall (October/November) and Spring (March), though specific submission dates vary each year. 

The Accelerator Awards selection committee consists of a representative of Innovation and Commercialization who chairs the committee, and external participants with a range of commercialization, investment and entrepreneurial expertise. The selection committee reviews proposals and the pitch presentations and makes recommendations for funding. Award recommendations are confirmed by the selection committee chair and recommendations are subject to approval by the Ohio Third Frontier.

Ohio State faculty with Principal Investigator (PI) status must be listed as an inventor of the technology and will serve as PI for the project. Post-docs and staff who are co-inventors of the technology are eligible to apply as co-PI. Students are not eligible to  apply as PI or co-PI. 

Before submitting a pre-proposal the technology should be disclosed via an invention disclosure form through the Cayuse Inventions portal ahead of the pre-proposal deadline. We recommend reaching out to your assigned licensing officer and discussing your interest in applying for an Accelerator Award. This will help ensure there is adequate time to determine whether the technology can meet all eligibility requirements during the application stage and secure intellectual property protection.

Your licensing officer will initially assess commercialization potential of your technology. Technologies at the right stage for an Accelerator Award should already have established initial proof-of concept and be advanced beyond basic research and should feasibly be ready to license to a startup after the Accelerator Award is completed. Accelerator Award funds can be used to perform validation activities independently from the originating lab that are not typically funded through research grants.  

Given the technology transfer goals of the Accelerator Awards, it would be unlikely for a technology to receive an additional award. Applicants are encouraged to apply with new proposals for a different application of the same technology, or for new technologies that present a new commercialization opportunity. Previously funded projects must be completed, and all requirements are in good standing prior to submitting another application. Previous outcomes and compliance with the program’s requirements will be considered.  

Proposal submission will be limited to no more than three times. A proposal submitted for the second or third time is considered a revised proposal and the appropriate box must be checked on the application form.

This does not align with the goal of the Ohio Third Frontier, which is to create greater economic impact in Ohio based on startup companies that commercialize technologies developed at Ohio research institutions. Startup Opportunity is one of the criteria considered during the review process.

Existing companies are beyond the scope of the Accelerator Awards and are not eligible to apply. Existing startup companies that intend to license intellectual property developed at Ohio State are eligible to apply for TVSF Phase 2 funding.

Based on the goals of the Ohio Third Frontier and the commercialization focus of the Accelerator Awards, there is preference for expenditures to be used externally to the university with a preference for Ohio-based vendors that provide a purchased service. Subawards to other institutions are not an eligible expense. 

During the application stage proposed projects will be assessed and undergo a conflict-of-interest review.

Yes, it does. Copyrighted materials, including software, are eligible if OSIF has the right to commercialize the copyrighted materials via an exclusive license agreement. Software/information technology is one of the technology areas targeted by the Ohio Third Frontier.

The program is designed to advance innovations developed at Ohio State. If more than one institution is involved or named on the IP for your technology, you must indicate this in your pre- proposal. If the pre-proposal is invited to submit a full proposal, an inter-institutional agreement (IIA) must be in place designating Ohio State as the lead for commercialization, by the full proposal submission date. Your licensing officer can help clarify who has rights or claims against your IP and what impact that may have on commercialization. IP that is predominantly owned by an institution outside of Ohio State is not a good fit for the Accelerator Awards.

No, if the technology is not available for licensing in the applicable field of use it is not eligible for the Accelerator Awards.

No, to be consistent with the goal of the Ohio Third Frontier to stimulate economic growth in Ohio, technologies must be licensed to an Ohio-based company. If a technology is licensed to a company outside of Ohio within five years of the award notice, the grant must be repaid to the Ohio Third Frontier.

Projects selected for an Accelerator Award use the funds as part of a sponsored research agreement. No equity is taken by OSIF for consideration of the Accelerator Awards funding provided. Any equity negotiated as part of the licensing deal is independent of Accelerator Awards funding status.

No, indirect costs should not be included in the budget. 

No, travel is not an eligible expense. 

No, this is not an eligible expense. 

In keeping with the commercialization goals of the Accelerator Awards, projects should prioritize outsourcing work to independent third-party vendors. For this reason, internal expenditures on personnel support and materials and supplies to perform work within the lab is limited to 25% of the total awarded budget. Tuition is not an eligible expense.

In keeping with the technology transfer goals of the Accelerator Awards, external validation and de-risking are critical for commercialization development of any technology. Commercialization focused milestones can be guided by the industry expert during the application phase which can help to identify key priorities and work completed independently of the lead PI ‘s lab and personnel. Internal core facilities that are available as a paid service fee to external customers may be requested. If work is proposed to be conducted within the university, the proposal narrative should have compelling justification for not sourcing the work to an independent service vendor. 

Any changes to the milestones must be requested prior to completion date of that milestone. The impact on the project scope, timeline, and justification for the changes must also be included. The request will be reviewed by the Accelerator Awards program and may require additional approval from the selection committee and the Ohio Third Frontier. Re-allocation of funds from the original itemized budget must also be requested in advance of any changes taking place.

Industry experts should be external to the University and have a strong industry-based background in the relevant market or technology space. When submitting the pre-proposal PIs are strongly encouraged to identify potential individuals they may know through their network. Our office may be able to facilitate identification of potential industry experts if requested within reasonable time.

The industry expert serves to provide critical industry insight for technologies and to help define and guide appropriate and commercially relevant milestones for projects.

No, this is not a commercially viable milestone. Due to the short project timeline, a pending IRB submission or IRB approval (within 1 year) must be in place by the full application deadline. Funds may not be awarded if necessary IRB approvals are not obtained in a timely manner and delay the project start date beyond 3- months of the award notice.

No, while we support publication of the resulting work, this is not a primary objective in line with the commercialization and technology transfer goals of the Accelerator Awards.

Pre-award expenditures are not permitted. Projects that are recommended and approved by the sponsor for funding will require grant set up through Sponsored Programs. A start date will be communicated to the PI and no expenditures can occur prior to the grant start date. The funds are disbursed in tranches based upon the project milestones. The first tranche is released at the start of the project period.

Prospective start dates are outlined on the website, and it is expected that the PI is aware of the start date defined by the program and will be prepared to start the project as soon as the funds are released. Awards may be withdrawn for any project that does not start within 3 months.

Projects are expected to complete and achieve funded milestones within a maximum 12-month period. Limited short-term extensions may be requested with strong justification and extenuating circumstances and require approval by the Ohio Third Frontier. 

Funded projects are expected to adhere to reporting obligations during the Accelerator Award. 

These include: (i) project kickoff meeting, (ii) quarterly updates with the Accelerator Awards program and commercialization team, (iii) written quarterly progress reports (to be discussed in the meetings and for sponsor mandated reporting), (iv) final report within 30 days at the end of the project. Details of reporting formats and deadlines will be provided to awarded projects.