UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Faculty researchers are invited to submit letters of intent (LOI) for the 2025 cycle of the Penn State Commercialization GAP Fund, which provides funding and support to help move promising research closer to commercialization. To be eligible, the principal investigator must be a full-time faculty member at Penn State. The deadline for submitting an LOI is Nov. 1.
Interested faculty members are invited to attend an information session about the Commercialization Gap Fund at noon on Oct. 18.
The Commercialization GAP Fund is designed to equip Penn State researchers with support, resources and guidance needed to transform ideas into real-world products and solutions. From pioneering medical devices to breakthrough technologies or influential artistic works, the fund helps researchers advance projects toward commercialization.
“The GAP Fund is one of our most valuable tools for turning high-impact academic research into successful commercial ventures,” said Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State. “It exemplifies Penn State’s commitment to fostering innovation and advancing research from the lab to the marketplace, where it can make a meaningful difference in society.”
Administered by the Office of Technology Transfer, the GAP Fund focuses on projects that address unmet needs in the marketplace and show strong commercial potential. The goal is to attract investment interest within three years. Grants of up to $75,000 per year are available, with additional funding considered on a case-by-case basis. Researchers are encouraged to maximize their project’s potential by combining GAP funding with other internal or external sources.
LOI submission guidelines
Researchers interested in applying should include the following information in their LOI:
- Title of the invention
- A 250-word summary of the technology
- Intellectual property status and invention disclosure number
- Any competitive landscape analysis completed
- Interest shown by potential licensees, investors or entrepreneurs
- How the GAP funding will be used
Applicants selected to submit full proposals will be notified by Nov. 15, with full proposals due by Dec. 8.
For more information or to submit an LOI, visit the InfoReady application page. For questions, contact the Penn State Commercialization GAP Fund by email at GAPFund@psu.edu or call 814-865-6277.