R856-3-4. Eligibility Criteria

  (1) Individual researchers or research teams employed by a Utah University are eligible to apply for UTAG.

  (2) Applicant must be developing a technology in a targeted industry sector.

  (a) USTAR will identify the targeted industry sectors eligible to receive a UTAG grant in the UTAG application materials.

  (b) The USTAR governing authority will, according to its discretion and judgment, review and approve the targeted technology sectors to ensure they are strategically selected to align with USTAR's economic development objectives and maximize the potential benefit to the state.

  (c) In selecting industry sectors eligible to receive support from UTAG, the Governing Authority may consider the following factors:

  (i) statewide or regional importance of the industry to Utah's economy;

  (ii) relative size of the sector, its stability, and growth potential;

  (iii) characteristics of the state's workforce including education and training;

  (iv) the current availability of other sources of funding or risk capital (public or private) for early-stage companies in the technology sector;

  (v) the potential for the industry sector to develop new jobs and business opportunities in the state;

  (vi) likelihood that research in this sector will lead to creation of a company in Utah or IP transfer to an existing Utah company; and,

  (vii) any other factor the governing authority deems relevant, considering the mission of USTAR and the purpose of UTAG.

  (3) Applicant must be developing a technology assessed to be between a TRL of 3-4.

  (4) If Applicant is a current recipient of a USTAR grant, that project must be verified as complete by USTAR before the application deadline in order for the awardee to be eligible to apply, unless expressly exempted by USTAR.