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 About Us >> Texas ETF >> Research Grant Matching Proposals >> Research Grant Matching FAQs

ETF II Research Matching Grants

FAQs

The ETF legislation doesn’t seem to clearly state that the RGM program is for conducting research, except by the program title.  Priority for funding is stated to be 'to accelerate commercialization into production' - which is it - research or commercialization?

The RMG segment of the ETF is for accelerating applied (i.e., not 'basic') research that readies an innovation for commercialization but it is not directly funding a resulting commercial venture.  That funding is provided by the ‘Commercialization’ component of the ETF.

Who is eligible to apply for RGM?

Only a “consortium” composed of at least three entities, of which at least one is a Texas Institution of Higher Education, and one a for-profit company, may apply for an ETF RMG award.  The submitting applicant will be the ‘fiscal agent’ for the consortium, receiving the contract from the state and dispersing subcontract funding to the other members of the consortium.  Very substantial preference is given to larger requests that involve matching multimillion dollar external research awards that hold promise to establish a national-level Texas ‘center of excellence’ in the emerging technology area that is the focus of the consortium.

For the RGM, must all 'collaborators' be from the state of Texas?

No, bringing in technology and/or expertise from outside the state is OK; however, the proposal will be considered more favorably if the key participants are (or commit to locate) in Texas.

What if we are planning to propose for external funding where an ETF 'match' would greatly increase our probability of winning?

The initial subject proposal must have already been submitted and be in evaluation before making application for the RMG; however, future ‘increments’ of funding from the external source may be considered and ‘provisionally’ matched if they are in the sponsor’s long-range plan.  If an application based on a proposal in evaluation is approved, the ETF will make a 'provisional' RMG award to commit the matching funds only if the external funding proposal is awarded funding.

What is meant by 'interdisciplinary' as used in the ETF legislation?

In general it means combining technology elements across the boundaries between traditionally defined academic disciplines, e.g., mechanical with electronic, medical with computers or semiconductors, etc.

If internal research funding is provided by an education institution or a corporation for one of its units does it still qualify for ETF RMG matching?

No, the matched funding must be ‘external’ and not from a Texas state fund; but substantial internal self-funding by consortium members makes any ETF application more attractive.

How much can we apply for?  Is there a minimum amount for a 'match' funding?

There is no absolute upper limit; however, the largest RMG award to date has been $5M.  A larger award might, however, be possible for the right opportunity.  On the other end, awards of less than $1M are considered much less desirable unless they are effectively just the ‘leading edge’ of a much larger opportunity for the consortium and Texas.

Does the ETF match have to be 'dollar-for-dollar' with the external funding?

No, but the external funding must be larger or equal to the requested RMG.  Preference is given to more ‘leveraged’ matches, e.g., 'one-for-two' would be more attractive than ‘one-for one’, etc.

Doe a future award(s) of funds from external sources count toward an RMG match?

Yes, but any such RMG award will not be funded by the ETF until the external funds are 'in-hand’.  Typically, such increments of RGM funding are provided for in the resulting ETF contract to the consortium and are tied to specific milestone achievements which include the receipt of specified increments of external research grants.

Does 'in-kind' (i.e., non-cash) support by the external entity(s) qualify for RGM matching by the ETF?

There is a very strong preference for cash funding, a major part of the external support must be in cash and the RMG match will only be compared to that cash component.  That said, in-kind support may be considered in evaluating the overall strength and attractiveness of the proposed RMG program.

Is the RGM application form the same as the Commercialization form?  Where can we obtain an RGM proposal application packet?

The RMG form is not the same as the Commercialization form.  The RMG application form may be downloaded from the ntxrcic.org website.

Can we obtain the scoring criteria to be used to evaluate the proposals?

There is no formal, numerical scoring process for RMG applications; but the NTXRCIC will be glad to explain the current RMG criteria established by the state ETF Advisory Committee and to help you develop the strongest proposal possible for your consortium.

What is the deadline for applying?

There are no specific ‘deadline’ dates for RMG’s as there are for ETF Commercialization applications; but RMG’s are evaluated for funding recommendation by the ETF Advisory Committee at their quarterly meetings, so there is a quarterly ‘periodicity’.  Contact the NTXRCIC for specific recommendation on submittal dates.

Will the content or titles of the proposal we submit be made public?

Only resulting contracts with the state are subject to the “Open Records Act”; and all other documents submitted in conjunction with ETF applications are protected as the applicant’s proprietary information.  In particular the NTXRCIC never discloses the names of its clients or applicants without their prior approval unless they have first received a publicly-announced ETF award.

May we resubmit a proposal if it did not receive an award? May the same entity receive funding for multiple projects?

Yes, non-awarded proposals may be re-submitted on a subsequent quarterly cycle(s).  This has happened several times in the past, and some applicants have been successful on ‘second passes’.   The ETF principles state that an entity may receive up to a total of three awards from the fund; but allows no more than two funding events for the same project (with the exception of pre-approved, multiple increments of ETF funding available under an ETF contract based on specific milestone achievements).

May we apply at an RCIC other than the N. TX RCIC?

Specifically, all RMG applications go directly to the Governor’s Office ETF staff to initiate state-level evaluation; and an RCIC serves only to assist the consortium in preparing their best application.  That said, the selection of supporting RCIC is an option left to the consortium, but proximity is obviously advantageous for logistical reasons.  If an application is not successful, changing to a different RCIC on a later cycle is permitted.

May an application be changed after it has been submitted?

Yes, in response to questions from the evaluation process, direction from the ETF Advisory Committee or to correct ambiguities.

  

North Texas

Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization

 

ETF Awards and Research Matches

 

Commercialization Awards

 

21-Century Silicon Inc. received $3.5 million to commercialize solar-grade silicon manufacturing process. March 5, 2009

 

21-Century Silicon Inc. was awarded $3.5million in ETF investment for the commercialization of their solar-grade silicon manufacturing process.  The company has patented the process to manufacture PV-grade polysilicon for solar cell manufacture at half the cost of conventional suppliers.  In addition, their modular design technology allows production facilities to be developed more rapidly, with lower capital cost. 

 

The Garland company’s technology reduces both the cost and environmental impact of solar-grade silicon manufacturing.  The state of Texas in the recent legislative session (2009) promoted the importance of investing in alternative fuel, solar and environmental technologies for a more competitive state.  21-Century is an example of Texas investing in small businesses with emerging technologies in this growing market segment. 

 

21-Century Silicon is working closely with Dr. Bruce Gnade,a professor of materials science and engineering, and chemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas.   The company plans to commercialize the technology and scale up its manufacturing operations within the next 12 months. http://www.21-centurysilicon.com

 

 

 

Syndiant was awarded $3.5 million to manufacture light-modulating microchips.

March 5, 2009

 

Syndiant, a Richardson based company founded in 2004, was awarded $3.5 million to design light modulating panels for handheld, pico projectors.  

 

Syndiant’s VueG8TM technology uses on-chip parallel processing to enable the world’s smallest high resolution spatial light modulators. These microchips are used in projectors small enough to embed in a cell phone. Syndiant’s patented technologies are designed to provide a large-screen experience in handheld electronics such as smartphones, notebook computers, portable media players, video game consoles and cameras.

 

Based in Dallas, Syndiant is working with Vojin Oklobdzija and Poras Balsara of the electrical engineering faculty in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at UT Dallas. Experts in low-power and ultra-low-power chip design, they’re working to help make the company’s products both more energy efficient and more cost competitive. http://www.syndiant.com

 

 

 

Ortho Kinematics of Austin received $1.5 million to develop its patent-pending tech “OSMIA.”

March 5, 2009

 

OSMIA uses proprietary hardware and software to analyze the function of the spine.  This disruptive technology will improve the diagnosis and surgical management of severe back and neck pain, leading to better treatment outcomes and reduced costs.  Ortho Kinematics has designed a full infrastructure.  www.orthokinematics.com

 

 

MacuCLEAR Inc. of Frisco was awarded $1.7 million to further develop a novel treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

March 5, 2009

 

MacuClear is a pharmaceutical company is in its developmental stage.  The drug created at MacuClear will treat and prevent the progression of AMD through its topical eye drops that increase choroidal blood flow, fostering normal cell functioning.  This solution will address the #1 cause of legal blindness in people over the age of 50. 

 

The technology was discovered by TAMU researchers, who chose MacuCLEAR to commercialize the product for future Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) sufferers.  Many times, people who suffer from AMD gradually lose the ability to use their focused vision, which is used for reading, watching television, or using the computer. http://www.macuclear.com.

 

 

Gradalis received $1.75 million to commercialize a proprietary, breakthrough metastatic cancer drug technology.

March 5, 2009

 

The therapeutic platform reduces the time, cost and technical risks of drug development for metastatic cancer.  Their world-class capabilities provide unique new treatments with low toxicity, precision tumor targeting and less treatment cost.  Currently the company has a top-notch facility in Carrollton and will initially focus on clinical trails.

 

 

Solarno of Coppell was granted $250,000 to commercialize carbon nanotube technology for solar cells. March 5, 2009

 

Solarno Inc was founded in October of 2005 by University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) researchers to commercialize and expand UTD’s nanotechnology for solar energy applications. These solar cells use carbon nanotube technology to access the power of the full solar spectrum (in contrast to existing silicon-based solar cells that use only a small fraction of sunlight). 

 

The products at Solarno help to greatly reduce the costs in photovoltaic conversion efficiency.  The company, which is a spin-out from the UTD, is working with two faculty members from the UTD School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics: John P. Ferraris and Anvar Zakhidov. http://www.solarno.com

 

 

Chipotle Business Group, Inc (CBGI) of Arlington received a pre-seed award of $250,000 for the commercialization of portable detection units for comprehensive water analysis.

March 5, 2009

 

Chipotle’s patent-pending technology runs simultaneous immunologic and reagent water testing through a device that can be used in the field where chemicals and biological concentrations are found.  Their testing system is called the Multiple Simultaneous Immunologic/Reagent Testing System (M-SIRTS). Their disruptive technology will reduce time and cost related to critically important water testing.

 

CBGI is a privately held company formed to develop and market new technologies for water analysis. The company is incorporated in Texas with offices in Texas and Mississippi. http://www.chipotlegroup.com

 

 

Wham! Inc of Allen was awarded $250,000 with to commercialize video applications.

March 5, 2009

 

Wham! is a new communications product company that is building a revolutionary video product. These next-generation high-definition video applications are intended to revolutionize the way society communicates with one another.

 

The company is currently working with the head of the Jonsson School’s telecommunications program, Andrea Fumagalli, and is targeting the home environment with its easy to use solutions. http://www.whaminc.com

 

 

Modria of Irving received $250,000 to commercialize the Supply Chain Management software.

March 5, 2009

Modria complements packaged SCM vendor offerings. Their unique technology enables them to build software one customer at a time without increasing the total cost of ownership. Customers can own the software at source code level allowing them to control product roadmap, leverage their intellectual property, and enhance their competiveness.

 

The Supply Chain Management software at Modria will streamline supply chain planning by allowing a business to create customizable processes and manage all stages of the supply chain business-specific needs more efficiently and at a greatly reduced cost than current day practices.

 

UT Dallas will be Modria’s strategic partner for designing a prototype and a supply chain domain language for construction and execution of customizable supply chain planning strategies. Three computer scientists from the Jonsson School are working closely with Modria. www.modria-inc.com

 

 

EQMA of Waco received $250,000 to commercialize its proprietary processes.

October 16, 2008

 

The Environmental Quality Management Associates (EQMA) is working on transforming Captive Animal Feed Operations (CAFOs) and selected other industrial wastes to fermentable sugars by enzymatic hydrolysis and distillation. The produced sugars and byproducts may then be used to generate a variety of products, with the most important of those for alternative fuel use. 

 

EQMA is collaborating with the Baylor University School of Business, which will focus on developing a strong business plan, financial models and growth strategy.  Baylor will also identify and quantify waste sources and fuel ethanol markets to expand EQMA's CAFO sources and potential retail customers. 

 

 

Codekko Software of Dallas was awarded $1.5 million to commercialize its computer tech.

October 16, 2008

 

Codekko Software is the only end-to-end network optimization solution that improves the performance of Web-enabled applications and improves the end-user experience.

 

The software at Codekko increases the efficiency of web and application servers, which in turn improves performance, scalability, and delivery speed by up to 10 times the standard speed. This provides corporation with up to a 60% reduction in the number of web and application servers that are required to deliver web-based applications.

 

The power behind Codekko solutions lies in the advanced Ekko technology, a unique Web-application optimization platform that actually reduces the number of servers needed to run your Web applications.  http://www.codekko.com

 

 

DentLight of Richardson received $250,000 to commercialize its proprietary dental diagnostic tech.

October 16, 2008

 

DentLight, which was established in 2005, is a medical device company that designs and manufactures dental diagnostic and treatment devices used in dental labs and offices.

 

FUSIONTM Curing Light is the first DentLight product that uses patented, FDA approved technology that integrates LEDs, lasers, optics, and digital electronics into the next-generation treatment devices.  It also minimizes dispersion of a curing light through a focused light beam and provides high power intensity over distance in a quality manufactured dental instrument for composite restoration. 

 

DentLight is working alongside The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) Dental School.  They will focus on the evaluation of the technology for dental disease diagnosis. http://www.dentlight.com

 

 

Net Watch Solutions, Inc. of Richardson received $500,000 to further develop new software.

February 29, 2008

 

Net Watch was established in 2002 to deliver results-oriented businesses solutions in infrastructure management. NetWatch’s software systems enable businesses of all sizes to anticipate and avoid painful costs, lost time, and customer dissatisfaction due to maintenance-induced software system “crashes.”

 

The new, patent-pending, behavioral software at New Watch eliminates Information Technology (IT) system downtime.  It enables mid- to large-sized IT enterprises to anticipate and avoid the leading contributor to costly downtime - the unexpected consequences of change. The product will avoid IT staff errors and self-induced downtime through heuristic-based algorithms allowing companies to avoid such problems before they happen.

 

NetWatch Solutions is working with the University of Texas at Dallas to commercialize this exciting new technology that eliminates the inefficient manual methods currently used to predict such consequences. http://www.netwatchsolutions.com

 

 

MicroTransponder, Inc. of Dallas received $1,380,000 to further develop and commercialize implantable neural stimulators for pain management. 

February 29, 2008

 

MicroTransponder is developing the wireless subcutaneous stimulation technology at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), where it was invented by Dr. Lawrence Cauller, PhD.

 

The company is also developing a deep pipeline of innovation with Dr. Michael Kilgard, PhD, focusing on wireless vagus nerve stimulation to generate brain plasticity. This breakthrough technology at MicroTransponder will provide an advanced method of relieving chronic and intractable pain usually suffered by patients with degenerative nerve conditions. 

 

The product will consists of an implantable neural stimulator that will be powered wirelessly by an exterior powering device worn by the patient and programmed by a laptop or PDA.  This technology will advance medical understanding of chronic pain and its causes, while ensuring a patient is receiving relief from pain.  http://www.microtransponder.com

 

 

TX MicroPower, Inc. of Richardson received $250,000 to further develop material, device technologies, and commercial products.

February 29, 2008

 

Texas MicroPower designs and builds integrated low cost energy harvesting systems and enables technology products to serve today’s critical need of “green” energy for portable and remote electronics. This technology will harvest energy from naturally-available sources such as human energy or natural energy such as the wind or sun into micro-power. 

 

This micro-power will be transferred ideally into battery-free, isolated electronic devices such as medical implants and wireless environmental sensors or further complement traditional storage.  Texas MicroPower is working with the University of Texas at Dallas. http://www.texasmicropower.com

 

 

SNR Labs, Inc received $750,000 to further develop its mobile handset software.

October 31, 2007

 

The new mobile handset software, Convergence Manager™, allows wireless devices to work seamlessly between wireless services, including conventional cellular, WiFi and WIMAX networks.

 

The automated process requires no action of the user, generates no service interruption, and significantly reduces battery power consumption of the wireless link when moving between wireless service areas. http://www.snrlabs.com

 

 

PrincipleSoft, Inc. of Plano was awarded $750,000 to further develop a multiple layer overlay modulation. June 27, 2007

 

The technology at PrincipleSoft will revolutionize lives by enabling a high speed connection directly to the key people and information an individual is targeting. One early commercial application of this technology will include a much greater ability to deliver real-time video to a variety of wireless devices.

 

PrincipleSoft offers a technology that unleashes the bandwidth using advanced communications algorithms providing a magnitude of higher spectral efficiency. http://www.principlesoft.com

 

 

Resonant Sensors Inc. of Arlington was granted $600,000 to further develop and commercialize its new class of sensors.

June 27, 2007

 

Resonant Sensors, founded in December of 2004 by Debra Wawro (CEO) and Dr. Robert Magnusson (CTO) in partnership with the University of Texas at Arlington, provides next-generation optical sensor systems for pharmaceutical and biotech customers.

 

These revolutionary sensors will be used in the production of biomedical compounds and drugs and will allow researchers to rapidly and accurately evaluate the performance of experimental new drug compounds.

 

Commercial applications are projected to be highly efficient in the use of drug evaluation systems for biomedical research laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry, and in later applications, such as sensors used for monitoring environment pollutants. www.resonantsensors.com

 

 

Photodigm Inc. of Richardson received $749,829 to further develop its advanced laser tech.

May 4, 2007

 

Photodigm is an innovator in semiconductor diode lasers for precision applicants. The company will produce monolithic, high-power, coherent, semiconductor lasers at significantly lower costs and higher quality than achieved to date. Further development of its advanced, solid-state laser technology will make significant capability increases in end equipment applications.

 

This laser will result in more affordable and efficient laser systems necessary for equipment used in communications, digital imaging, defense and medical devices. For example, Photodigm lasers are currently being used in defense systems, including ultra-high performance sensors for airborne detection of submarines. http://www.photodigm.com

 

 

Global Contours Ltd. of Rockwell received $950,000 to further develop its patented Smart Concrete ™. April 18, 2007

 

Smart Concrete ™ is a material capable of sensing infrastructure conditions when used to construct new buildings, bridges, highways, dams, levees and tunnels. For example, instead of embedding a sensory device in roads at weigh stations, future roads built with Smart Concrete will become the sensory mechanism.

 

The technology also has the potential to detect infrastructure breaches in buildings and other major infrastructure.  This award was part of a Defense Advanced  Research Projects Agency (DARPA) research grant to advance the technology.  Global Contours is working with the University of Texas at Arlington. http://globalcontour.com

 

 

Optisense Network, Inc received $1.5 million to commercialize a proprietary electro-optical voltage sensor tech.

March 14, 2007

 

The mission of Optisense is to create a leading sensor systems company. This new company technology, called the “intelligent grid,” will enable utility companies to monitor feeder circuits more cost-effectively, enhance system operations, optimize power flows, and provide greater grid security and reliability.

 

The sensors use a patented optical Pockels cell within an innovative housing that allows for safe, live line field installations. The product is targeted at local distribution networks (100,000 to 800,000 volts). Unlike large, heavy, and expensive potential transformers that monitor voltage at a utility substation, the smaller, lighter, and significantly less expensive sensors will allow utilities to install voltage sensors at close intervals directly on their feeder lines.

 

Optisense is collaborating with Dr. John Bassler, Director MSMR program at the University of Texas at Arlington to help provide analysis of markets and formulate new product strategy. http://www.optisense.net

 

 

Hanson Robotics of Richardson was awarded $1.5 million to commercialize its patent-pending robot. October 24, 2007

 

Hanson Robotics designs and creates machines that behave like living creatures.  This particular robot offers more lifelike appearance than existing robots and speech recognition software creating more realistic human-robot interactions. 

 

The robots are also capable of mimicking human emotions, facial expressions and naturalistic spoken conversation.  The hardware is light and requires low power consumption, allowing for ease of mobility. 

 

The patent-pending polymer material Frubber™ for life-looking skin, Artificial Intelligence, speech recognition and computer vision software, differentiates Hanson Robots from the competition.   Initial applications of the technology will be in the entertainment and toy field, but the technology holds great promise in areas like prosthetics, education and cognitive science. www.hansonrobotics.com

 

 

Research Superiority

 

TX Analog Center of Excellence (TxACE) at the University of TX (UT) at Dallas will receive $4.5 million over three years.

October 14, 2008


TxACE will focus on research in analog and radio frequency technologies to meet the increased demand for electronics enabled by analog and mixed-signal chips and help address issues such as energy efficiency, healthcare and public safety. The results will enhance the function of mixed-signal integrated circuits that use applications that necessitate human interface and energy efficiency. http://ecs.utdallas.edu/TxACE

 

 

University of North TX (UNT) Health Science Center in Ft Worth receives $2.27 million to establish a Center for Commercialization of Fluorescence Tech.

March 14, 2007

 

Fluorescence-based detection and fluorescence imaging are major areas of interest for commercial enterprises in developing new technology for use in optical sensing, enhanced security systems, biomedical diagnostics and tissue imaging.

 

Advanced fluorescence and nanotechnologies, also known as nanophotonics, are the most recent tools developed by the international research team of Zygmut Gryczynski, PhD; Ignacy Gryczynski, PhD; Evgenia Matveeva, PhD; and Julian Borejdo, PhD. These notable biophysicists were recruited to UNT Health Science Center specifically to start a Center for Commercialization of Fluorescence Technology.

 

They bring to the Center the most advanced approaches in utilizing and advancing fluorescence technology into a center that will provide service and collaborations with industry and academia for our state, country, and world partners. http://www.hsc.unt.edu

 

 

University of TX (UT) at Tyler receives $3.75 million to recruit researchers in residential indoor environmental quality tech development and commercialization.

March 14, 2007

 

Funds will establish the Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment and Energy (TxAIRE) Institute at the UT Tyler to study indoor air quality.

 

TxAIRE is a collaborative institute with UT Tyler as the lead institution and will include UT Dallas and UT Austin. The industry partners involved in TxAIRE will be Trane Division of American Standard located (Tyler, TX), Lennox Corporation (Carrolton, TX), Estes McClure and Associates (Tyler, TX), Rheem Air Conditioning Division, and Air Rover Incorporated (Tyler, TX).

 

TxAIRE will focus on applied technology leading to commercially viable products that can be taken to market quickly by existing manufacturers and new start-up companies located in Tyler and the surrounding region. http://txaire.uttyler.edu

 

 

Gov Rick Perry announces a new Nanotechnology Research Initiative (NRI) in TX.

September 27, 2006

 

The NRI is a $30 million public-private partnership funded by a $10 million grant from the Emerging Technology Fund (ETF), $10 million from the University of Texas System, and the remainder from a private industry. 

 

Perry also announced that Texas is only the third research center in the nation after New York and California that have been awarded this prestigious nanoelectronic research center, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and the Semiconductor Research Corporation. http://www.texasnano.org

 

 

Research Matching

 

Atomically Precise Manufacturing Consortium (APMC) receives $4,700,000 for research and development of tech.

February 29, 2008

 

This grant from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) will make it possible to manufacture devices with atomic precision by accelerating the conversion of laboratory-level nanotechnology fabrication into production-ready equipment, tools and processes.  The technology will enable manufacturing one atom at a time by exploiting our established ability to remove individual hydrogen atoms from a silicon surface using a scanning tunneling microscope.

 

Future Semiconductor Commercialization (FUSION) receives $5,000,000 for the development of advanced microelectronic technologies.

February 29, 2008

 

FUSION is a business and university R&D consortium and consists of South Korean electronics companies, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Military Tech LLC, UT Austin, UT Dallas, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and UT Tyler. 

 

The project at FUSION will lead to the development of a new generation of products, nanostructure materials for enhancing medical imaging and semiconductor devices through the application of nanotechnology and flexible microelectronic technologies. 

 

 
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