SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF)

A significant obstacle to the development and transfer of university technology is the lack of funding for promising discoveries after government-sponsored support ends and before a license or venture-capital support is identified and secured. Funding at this stage is essential to bring to market technology that has potential implications for public benefit. The TAF program helps to bridge that gap for SUNY researchers.

Funded by the State University of New York, TAF targets critical research and development milestones - such as feasibility studies, prototyping and testing - which demonstrate that an idea or innovation has commercial potential. The goal is to increase a product or company's attractiveness to potential investors.

TAF awards of up to $50,0000 are bestowed through a competitive process. Factors considered for the awards include the availability of intellectual property protection, marketability, commercial potential, feasibility and breadth of impact.

Only SUNY faculty, staff and students are eligible to apply, and proposals must be endorsed and submitted by the campus RF Operations Manager or designee. Each SUNY campus is permitted to submit two proposals per round. The subject technology must align with the research priorities listed in the TAF administrative guidelines for each round. Applicants must be able to achieve project milestones within a six-month timeframe.