R856-4-4. Eligibility Criteria

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

  (2) Applicants must identify the specific targeted funding source and the award type or solicitation.

  (3) Applicants must propose using grant funds to support specific research and development activities, such as developing proofs of concept or performing initial data generation, necessary to develop requisite data for applicant's technology to be eligible for the targeted funding.

  (4) Applicant's existing technology must be assessed to be between TRL 0-3.

  (5) Collaborations among researchers at different universities and/or among researchers in different disciplines, while not required, will be given priority in the evaluation process described in Section R856-4-7.

  (6) USTAR funding cannot be used as a material benefit to another state. Funding from a STIG grant must be used within the State of Utah.

  (7) Applicants must be developing a technology in a targeted industry sector.

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

  (b) The USTAR governing authority will, according to its discretion and judgment, review and approve the eligible 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 STIG, 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 result in creation of a company in Utah or IP transfer to an existing Utah company; and,

  (vii) any other factor the governing authority deems relevant.

  (8) Applicants must obtain a cost-sharing commitment from each university that will receive funding from a STIG grant;

  (a) matching funds may be provided via:

  (i) Direct payment to university for the research project; and/or

  (ii) "In-kind" contribution, which may include:

  (A) Salary of university-affiliated researcher or personnel;

  (B) Cost of Subject Matter Expert(s) (SME) time spent on project;

  (C) Materials and equipment;

  (D) Work/research space;

  (E) Travel and other expenses budgeted for the project; or,

  (F) Other contributions, as approved by USTAR

  (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.