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Research & Technology Development (RTD) Grant Program

New! Discounted Lab Fee Option
 
Applicants who plan to use the WTC Microfabrication Laboratory can use the award or some of the company cash matching to pay the lab fee at a discounted rate. Details below.
Washington Technology Center competitively awards $1 million annually to applied research projects that show strong potential for generating long-term economic impact in Washington state. Funding through this grant program helps move innovative ideas out of the laboratory and into the commercial marketplace.
 
Applied research activities include:
  • Proof of concept
  • Research prototyping
  • Technical feasibility & testing
Each project team is comprised of a Washington company partner and a researcher from a university or research nonprofit in the state. The company defines the research challenge and provides access to the commercial market. The university or nonprofit researcher executes the research with funding from both the Washington Technology Center and the company partner. If you are a Washington company, we can help you find a research expert.
 
Each project team can apply for up to $300,000 in funding through a three-phase grant program. Phase I winners receive up to $100,000 in funding. Successful completion and presentation of Phase I results are required at the time of application for Phase II funding.
 
Application Process
 
Step 1:
Review the Important Dates found on this page

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:
Attend an Information Session (Optional)

Step 5:
Find a Research Expert (If one has not already been identified)

Step 6:

Step 7:
Review Tri-Party Agreement (Required) UW template | WSU template

Step 8:
Submit a Proposal (Required)
  • Spring 2010 RTD Phase I [.doc or .pdf]
  • Spring 2010 Phase II/III [.doc or .pdf]

  •  
     
     
    Important Dates
     
     
     
    RTD Program
    Fall Round
    RTD Program
    Spring Round
    Entrepreneur's Access
    Round Opens
    July 1, 2010
    January 1, 2010
    Open Enrollment
    Information Sessions
    August-September
    February-March
     
    Notice of Intent Due
    September 23, 2010
    March 18, 2010
    None required
    Proposal Due
    October 21, 2010
    April 22, 2010
    Open Enrollment
    Award Notification
    December 2010
    June 2010
     
     
    Projects Begin
    January 1, 2011
    July 1, 2010
     
     
     
    RTD At-A-Glance
     
     
    RTD
    Phase I
    RTD
    Phase II
    RTD
    Phase III
    Entrepreneur's Access
    Maximum Award
    $100,000
    $100,000
    $100,000
    $5,000
    Company Size
    (employees)
    Any
    Any
    Any
    < 15
    Application Fee
    $250
    $250
    $250
    $250
    Cash Match Requirement (Company Partner)
    20 percent minimum
    Based on FTE
     
    10 or fewer: 20%
    11 - 100: 35%
    101-250: 50%
    251 or more: 100%
    Based on FTE
     
    10 or fewer: 20%
    11 - 100: 35%
    101-250: 50%
    251 or more: 100%
    Not required
    Project Duration (typical)
    9 months
    12 months
    12 months
    1- 6 months
    Success Rate
    25 - 33 percent
    75- 80 percent
    75 - 80 percent
     
     
    WTC Microfabrication Laboratory Fee Option (NEW)
    Applicants who plan to use WTC Microfabrication Laboratory can use the WTC funds or some of the company cash matching to pay the lab fee at a discounted rate of $900/user each month for 6 user-months* maximum.  A user of the lab can be anyone who is directly involved in the project, either from the university/non-profit research institution or company partner.  In addition, cash matching can be used for travel to/from the lab for user(s).
     
    Prior to proposal submission, applicants are required to meet with the Lab Manager, Mike Hjelmstad (mhjelm@watechcenter.org or 206.399.7135), to discuss the technical merits of using the lab for the project. The remaining cash matching, if any, must be used for other company cash-matching options.
     
    For more information on the Microfabrication Laboratory and its capabilities, go to http://microfab.watechcenter.org.
     
    *A user-month is the total number of users multiplied by the number of months. For example, 6 user-months could mean 2 users for 3 months, or 1 user for 6 months. It could also mean 2 users for 2 months followed by 1 user for 2 months.
     
    RTD Business Consulting Option
     
    RTD applicants can elect to apply the company’s cash match toward business consulting services provided by Washington Technology Center’s list of preferred business consultants instead of using these funds for research project costs. Previously only Phase II and Phase III applicants were eligible for this service; however, beginning July 2006 this option was extended to Phase I applicants as well.

    Washington Technology Center's Business Consulting program specializes in growth services for small and medium-sized companies. Examples of consulting projects include preparing for financing rounds, formulating strategic plans to enter new markets, and assessing, validating, and refining business plans and revenue models.

    Learn more about the RTD Business Consulting Option.
     
    For More Information
     
    Contact:
    Russell Paez, RTD Grants Manager
    rpaez@watechcenter.org
    206-616-3102