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Through this fund, ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ is supporting the advancement of basic research programs with commercial potential toward productization through support for a variety of translational and commercially oriented development efforts. This program is intended to provide:

• Expert Evaluation – peer-reviewed assessment by a committee of ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ faculty
• Accelerated Decision-Making – prompt feedback and timely decision
• Focused Translational Research – commercial potential and social impact prioritized
• Tranche-Based Funding – project funds distributed based on milestone completion

The program is run by the  in consultation with Division of Finance, VUMC Office of Research, and academic leadership in ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ schools and colleges, with management provided through the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization. 

The Innovation Catalyst Fund project selection will be ‘outcomes-oriented’ and based on clear project endpoints that achieve a commercial goal with translational research. Examples of uses for funds in this program include:

• Prototype development and testing
• Proof of concept validation and data generation
• Conceptualization and design
• Software development
• Process improvement
• New organization capability
• Program improvement
• Campaign or event

Unallowable uses generally include:

• Services provided by innovation players on campus (e.g., Brock Center, CTTC, Wond’ry)
• Book subventions
• Faculty salaries
• PTO payout
• Tuition or financial aid support for students
• Research supported by other internal funding programs, including Scaling Success, Seeding Success, and RAMP programs

All full-time faculty employed by either ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ or VUMC are eligible to apply across all disciplines from Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Bioscience & Healthcare. Part-time faculty, students, or staff are not eligible.

Through this fund, ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ is supporting the advancement of basic research programs with commercial potential toward productization through support for a variety of translational and commercially oriented development efforts. This program is intended to provide:

• Expert Evaluation – peer-reviewed assessment by a committee of ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ faculty
• Accelerated Decision-Making – prompt feedback and timely decision
• Focused Translational Research – commercial potential and social impact prioritized
• Tranche-Based Funding – project funds distributed based on milestone completion

The program is run by the  in consultation with Division of Finance, VUMC Office of Research, and academic leadership in ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ schools and colleges, with management provided through the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization.