Life Sciences R&D Funding

The UB CAT is a competitive, non-dilutive cost-sharing grant that funds collaborative, product development R&D projects for life science companies with an operational location in New York State. CAT projects are performed in collaboration with a UB Principal Investigator or Core Facility, with the purpose of developing and/or validating a new product with commercialization potential for the company.

Proposed projects must have a health sciences or big data component, particularly one that is related to: drug development, diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices or healthcare IT. Priority will be given to projects that involve a big data component.

ELIGIBILITY AND PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

UB CAT project applications are selected for funding based on the following criteria:

• Proposed project has a big data and health sciences component, particularly related to drug development, diagnostics, medical devices, and healthcare IT
• Company sponsor is registered in NYS and has an office location in NYS
• Company has at least 1 full time employee (or equivalent)
• Company has available matching funds for project cost sharing*
• Commitment of a University at Buffalo Principal Investigator**
• Scientific, technical, and innovative merit
• Demonstrated need for support of project
• Appropriateness of budget items within UB CAT guidelines
• Ability to successfully complete project during the fiscal year of award.
• Potential economic impact for New York State***

* UB CAT matching fund requirement is capped at a ratio $1.00 / $1.50 for small companies (<100 employees) and $1.00 / $3.00 for large companies (>100 employees).  When using a subcontracted SBIR, STTR federal award as match, the minimum match is $1.00 CAT / $2.00 federal award.  A typical CAT contribution is $10,000 to $100,000.

** 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 (https://www.buffalo.edu/administrative-services/policy1/ub-policy-lib/principal-investigator-eligibility.html.

Contact the UB CAT team – we’re happy to discuss your proposed project and advise.

CAT project budgets typically run from $10,000 up to $150,000 total budget (company funding + CAT match).

For companies with less than 100 employees: The UB CAT matches one dollar for every $1.50 of company funds spent on the project.

For companies with 100 employees or more: The UB CAT matches one dollar for every three dollars of company funds spent on the project.

The UB CAT can also match subcontracted SBIR/STTR funds at a ratio of $1.00 : $2.00 for small companies.

There are other potential cost-saving advantages to CAT projects. Please contact the UB CAT team for more details.

It is not necessary for the company to be headquartered in New York State, but the company must have a NYS-registered operational location and at least one FTE employee in New York State.

An operational location is defined as an office or laboratory that will benefit economically from the results of the UB CAT project, experiencing growth in the form of increased funding, revenue and/or staff employed at the New York State location. Projects that are not expected to result in an economic impact in New York State are not eligible for the UB CAT.

All work is subject to State University of New York intellectual property policies, but the UB CAT does not demand that a collaborative project be IP-bearing, and may fund both IP-bearing and non-IP-bearing work.  Work done through our core facilities, can usually be prearranged as a non-IP-bearing service.

Co-funding CAT projects entitles company sponsors to an automatic Option to negotiate a license to the resulting IP. Depending on investigator interest and background IP status, it may be possible to license using special SWIFT terms. Please contact us to discuss SWIFT eligibility.

UB CAT award winners receive non-dilutive, cost-sharing funds for their collaborative R&D project. In exchange, the company sponsor is expected to provide matching funds for a portion of the project, but also to report the economic impact benefits experienced as a result of the CAT project once annually for a period of 5 years, including any increase in funding, revenue or company headcount as a result of the CAT project. Reporting usually takes about an hour each year. The company is also required to submit progress reports twice a year during the project.

It is best to talk to the UB CAT team before submitting an application. Contact us here.

The official UB CAT Request for Proposals runs in winter/spring (Jan – March). CAT projects usually run from September and are expected to be complete within the university fiscal year, ending in June of the following year.

For projects of a larger overall scope, annual applications for smaller sub-projects are welcome, though since the CAT is a competitive grant, repeat funding cannot be guaranteed.

If funding is still available, the UB CAT accepts ‘rolling’ applications throughout the year.