Penn State GAP Fund

Penn State Commercialization GAP Fund

2027 Request for Proposals

1. Program and Scope

The goal of the GAP Fund is to accelerate promising Penn State research and technologies toward licensing, startup formation, or follow-on investment by reducing technical and commercial risk.

2. Eligibility

• Full-time Penn State researcher
• Invention/Technology Disclosure submitted to the Office of Technology Transfer
• Technology has demonstrated proof of concept
• Technology has significant commercialization potential
• Penn State/Penn State Research Foundation owns or has rights to the underlying intellectual property
• Microbiome-related research and technologies are eligible for consideration for the Peter and Ann Tombros Award

3. Project Readiness Requirements

• Commercial needs clearly identified
• Well-defined Go/No-Go milestones
• Demonstrates a credible path toward commercialization, licensing, or venture investment with the potential to achieve meaningful commercialization within 1-3years

4. Awards

Up to $75,000 in direct costs is available for a project lasting up to one year. GAP funds may be used to support personnel working directly on the proposed project, materials and supplies, consumables, equipment, and fieldwork directly related to the project. GAP funds cannot be used for travel.

In addition, an outstanding microbiome-related proposal may be selected to receive the Peter and Ann Tombros Award for Life Science Innovation and Commercialization, providing up to $100,000 in direct costs in lieu of a standard GAP Fund award. The award recognizes outstanding Penn State faculty-led microbiome-related research by providing funding to advance the development of an innovative product, therapeutic, or other technology having significant commercialization potential. Selection of the Tombros Award recipient will be made by the GAP review committee in coordination with a dedicated committee from the One Health Microbiome Center.

To be considered, projects should:

• Involve microbiome-related research or technology
• Demonstrate strong translational potential
• Address an important unmet need
• Have a clear pathway toward licensing, startup formation, or industry adoption

5. How to Get Started

Interested applicants should submit a letter of intent expressing their interest.

The LOI should include the following:

1. Title of the invention or technology
2. Technology summary (maximum 250 words)
3. Provide the invention/technology disclosure number and current intellectual property (IP) status with Penn State
4. Indicate whether a market study and competitive landscape analysis have been conducted
5. Indicate whether any potential licensee, investor, or entrepreneur has expressed interest. Attaching a support letter from an identified industry partner expressing interest would be beneficial
6. Describe how do you plan to use the GAP Fund funding
7. If applicable, indicate whether your technology involves microbiome-related research and briefly describe its relevance

(GAP funds may be used to support personnel working directly on the proposed project, materials and supplies, equipment, and fieldwork directly related to the project. GAP funds cannot be used for travel or hotels.)

Deadline for submitting LOI: October 9, 2026

The Letter of Intent (LOI) is limited to two (2) pages. Optional letters of support may be submitted as attachments and will not count toward the two-page limit.

All submitted Letters of Intent (LOI) will undergo an initial review to assess eligibility, commercial potential, alignment with the objectives of the GAP Fund, and overall program fit. Based on this review, a select group of applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Submission of an LOI does not guarantee an invitation to submit a full proposal.

Penn State Commercialization GAP Fund 2027 Cycle

Full Proposal Format

A. Executive Summary

Maximum 500 words

B. Commercial Readiness Snapshot

TRL, prototype status, patent status, industry meetings, CDAs/NDAs executed, letters of support, investor engagement, planned follow-on funding.

C. Value Proposition and Market Opportunity

Unmet need, proposed solution, current gold standard, end user, market value, competitive advantage.

D. Technology Validation

Keep results and discussion to a minimum. Present only evidence demonstrating feasibility and remaining commercialization risks.

E. Research Plan, Quarterly Milestones, and Commercialization Roadmap

Describe anticipated commercialization steps, estimated timeline for each step, and expected outcomes.

F. Budget Justification

A formal budget from participating units is not required. However, applicants must provide a clear breakdown of the requested funds by major expense category. A simple table is recommended and should include relevant details, such as graduate student/postdoctoral salary and the number of months of support, materials and supplies, core facility usage, and other project-related expenses.

G. Industry & Commercial Engagement (Optional)

Company/organization, type, stage of discussion, CDA/NDA status, evidence of interest, next step.

H. Intellectual Property & Technology Status

Provide the following information only: invention disclosure number, OTT contact, patent status, existing agreements. Patent and licensing strategy are managed by the Office of Technology Transfer.

I. Follow-on Funding Strategy

Planned SBIR/STTR, foundation, industry, investor, or other funding sources and timelines.

Required Figures

• Commercialization Dashboard (B.1)
• Commercialization Engagement (B.2)
• Project Impact Summary (C.1)
• Competitive Landscape Chart (C.2)
• Project Milestone Gantt Chart (E.1)
• The full application must not exceed ten (10) pages, including references. Letters of support are the only optional attachments permitted and are excluded from the 10-page limit.

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