UB CAT makes high-value connections between New York State businesses and R&D resources and expertise available through the University at Buffalo — one of the world’s top 200 universities. Companies that have a new or improved product line can use UB CAT for product development, optimization or design, testing, validation and quality control, or even clinical trials.

Sponsored by the New York State Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), UB CAT is one of the 15 designated higher education institutions in New York State dedicated to leveraging university resources to drive company growth in technology-based industry sectors. UB CAT is one of only three CATs focused on the biomedical arena.

UB CAT works with companies across the life sciences spectrum, including:

• Biotechnology
• Biomedical informatics
• Diagnostics
• Medical devices
• Pharmaceuticals
• Research and development products or services

Specifically, UB CAT provides access to:

• R&D project funding assistance through an annual RFP and rolling applications
• R&D expertise, facilities and equipment
• Business development assistance
• Workforce development programming
• Outreach and networking opportunities

Whether your company is big or small, established or just getting started, you can apply for UB CAT assistance through our annual RFP and rolling submission process. 

2015 – 2016 technology development project applications are due on April 24, 2015. Review the UB CAT RFP guidelines and download a fillable version of the UB CAT application below:

The UB CAT project application is open to any company representative and researcher who meet the project requirements.

• Company representatives — If you have a potential project, please contact us directly to facilitate introductions with appropriate University at Buffalo Principal Investigators, if needed
• Researchers — If you have a potential project and a target New York State company, please contact us directly to facilitate engagement with the UB CAT program

The mission of the UB CAT is to drive growth of firms through new and improved products using biomedical and bioengineering technologies. UB CAT provides project cost-share support for R&D activities involving a company and a UB researcher with clear project deliverables that have significant potential for economic impact. Annually, local companies receive on average $500,000 through UB CAT to assist them in developing new life sciences technology. Funding is based on the following criteria:

• Scope of the UB CAT focus area in life sciences
• Scientific, technical and innovative merit with a market opportunity
• Commitment of a University at Buffalo Principal Investigator*
• New York State based company sponsorship with available matching funds**
• Demonstrated need for support of project
• Contains appropriate budget items within UB CAT guidelines
• Ability to successfully complete project within the fiscal year starting July 1 and ending June 30 annually
• Potential economic impact for New York State***
• Commitment to complete annual request for economic impact

*All projects are subject to State University of New York intellectual property policies. Principal Investigator eligibility is dependent on policy guidelines at the University at Buffalo (http://policy.business.buffalo.edu/Pages/RSH.aspx).

**UB CAT matching ratio currently is $1.00 CAT to $1.00 company match for small companies  (< 100 employees) and $1.00 CAT to $2.00 company match for large companies (> 100 employees). A typical CAT contribution is $10,000 to $50,000, but may be larger or smaller depending on funding availability and the needs of the project. 

***Economic impact resulting from a project is defined as an increase in company sponsor revenues (federal, non-government, product-based), cost savings to company, new jobs created, jobs saved, capital expenditures by company sponsor, intellectual property development, new company start-up opportunity or company relocation/expansion in New York State. 

Application

The annual request for proposals is issued in March for the following fiscal year. Potential projects can also be received on a rolling basis throughout the year given availability of funds. We recommend you attend an information session or speak directly with a UB Business Development Executive to discuss your project idea. Sign up for an info session below:

• Thursday, February 26, 2015
• Thursday, March 5, 2015
• Thursday, April, 2, 2015

Then you can start by filling out an application (Word). When completed, send to Karen M. Utz at kmutz@buffalo.edu.

Review period

Applications received by UB CAT are subject to approval by the UB CAT Industrial Advisory Board (PDF). This board consists of professionals in the life sciences industry who are uniquely qualified to evaluate projects and comment on appropriateness of work being conducted through the UB CAT funding vehicle.

Award announcements

Award announcements will be made directly to the applicant prior to the project’s execution. Awards issued in response to proposals submitted no later than April 24, 2015, will be announced prior to July 1, 2015, pending availability of funding and NYSTAR approval. Award announcements for applications received on a rolling basis are announced after review by the UB CAT Industrial Advisory Board.

Post-award

Upon receiving project approval by UB CAT, a company sponsor will enter into a contracting period followed by account setup and project initiation. Principal Investigators are required to file Sponsored Project approval paperwork with the appropriate department leadership and Sponsored Programs to initiate account setup. Reporting of economic impact is required for a minimum of five years for all company sponsors following completion of a UB CAT project.

• UB CAT cost-sharing support is awarded on an annual basis. Both UB CAT funds and the matching funds must be expended by the close of the university fiscal year, June 30, 2016.
• UB CAT cost-sharing support can be used to cover expenses associated with university personnel and for purchasing of supplies, materials, testing, or other contracted services and equipment related to the project.
• Overhead costs for UB CAT projects is limited to 15% of salary and fringe benefits for university personnel
• Equipment purchased (item > $5,000) by any project funds (UB CAT or company sponsor) is considered property of UB CAT and eligible for use in future projects. Equipment purchases must follow university property policies and NYSTAR program policies.
• Funds CANNOT be expended for:
  • Rent, capital construction, rehabilitation, renovation, upgrading of existing space or infrastructure, telecommunications, utility costs or legal expenses
  • Basic research or research projects that do not receive matching funds support from a company
  • Costs associated with employees of the sponsor company
  • Reimbursement to sponsor company for any expenses the sponsor has already paid

UB CAT is one of the Centers for Advanced Technology across New York State supporting university-industry collaboration in research, education and technology transfer with a strong focus on helping businesses gain a technological edge on their competition. The center operates under the guidance of NYSTAR.

Highlights for 2013 – 2014 included the development of a more sensitive and specific test for Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which white blood cells attack the glands that produce tears and saliva, by Immco Diagnostics, Inc.

UB CAT is accelerating the rise of one of Buffalo Niagara’s strategic growth sectors by supporting the launch of new companies, expansion of existing firms, and attraction of firms new to New York State. In 2014 alone, UB CAT’s engagement with firms yielded nearly $68 in economic impact for each $1 spent by the program, through growth in these companies. As a result, Western New York businesses were able to increase revenues, attract private and public investment, and create new jobs in our community.