The program is intended to support projects to facilitate commercial utilization of research results. It involves collaborations between scientists and engineers in Russia and U.S. companies. The foundation 's investment in each project will average $75,000 for a period of two years. The U.S. companies must make matching contributions.
Russian applicants may request grants for individual financial support, equipment and supplies, and travel as well as for business development activities such as:
Training in technology commercialization, including management and intellectual property issues.
Assistance in preparing a business plan, conducting a patent search, or locating professional counsel in the U.S. and in Russia on intellectual property matters.
(Extract from program announcement of March 13, 2000)
Participation in technical meetings, trade shows, etc., to present or demonstrate potentially marketable technologies.
Developmental follow-on to research in progress or already carried out necessary to demonstrate technologies to potential entrepreneurs or investors.
Development plans for the use of the new technology.
Management consulting services.
What technical/market problem is being solved?
How does the proposed technology address this market need?
What is the market for this technology and who are the customers?
What market research has been done to date including market size, competition, etc.?
What is the status of intellectual property related to this technology?
What is the commercialization plan for the technology, including production, financing, marketing, and distribution issues?
What resources will be required to carry out the business plan?
Technical merit
Potential for commercialization
Project feasibility analysis and potential implementation risks
Level of U.S company's financial commitment
Strength of business discussion
Author's comment: Given the small size of the grants and the requirement that a U.S. company (not a Russian company) must make a matching contribution in cash or in kind limits the potential of the program to make a major impact on technology commercialization activities. Nevertheless, it should demonstrate interesting approaches and serve as a pilot program for larger Russian-oriented efforts should they develop.