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GAP Commercialization Investment Program

The FSU Office of Commercialization is a proud organizer of the GAP Commercialization Investment competition, a regular event designed to support faculty members looking to move their work from the lab to the marketplace.

If you are interested in participating in GAP, please contact AVP Valerie McDevitt,

Michael Tentnowski  or  Steve Medina.

Important Dates

    • Pre-proposal submission (electronic): March 10, 2023 by 5 p.m. 
    • NOTE: The pre-proposal is a two- to three-page executive summary.  If accepted, you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
    • Submissions should be sent to Shayla Crumity: scrumity@fsu.edu  
  • Approved pre-proposals announced: March 23, 2023
  • Final electronic proposals due (if accepted): April 20, 2023 by 5 p.m.
  • Review of PowerPoint presentations (PDFs will not be accepted): May 2, 2023 by 12 p.m.
  • Final PowerPoint presentations due: May 8, 2023 by 12 p.m.
  • Presentations to GAP committee: May 11, 2023
  • GAP winners announced on or before May 19, 2023

Program Description

The GAP Program is designed to support enhancements of inventions or other original works that have been disclosed to FSU. It funds projects that will quickly improve the odds that important research leads to a commercially viable new product or service.

The FSU Research Foundation has allocated funds under this program to invest in technology projects that transforms ongoing research into promising business opportunities.

GAP projects should reach completion within a year. Extensions are not granted, unless significant justification for incomplete projects are approved. Funded tasks will be performed under the supervision of the proposing faculty member; but may include third party efforts within or outside the University. The investments will be funded to meet project objectives. Investment funds may be used to pay labor expenses, or to obtain materials, services, and assistance outside the University; investments may not be used for student tuition or Principal Investigator(s) and faculty salaries. Overhead charges should not be included in project investment requests. Strong preference will be given to projects with timelines indicating less than one year, ones with regular milestones, ones with external participation, and for those requesting funding that is less than $50,000.

The purpose of the GAP investment program is to prepare technology for commercialization, not as a mechanism to fund students, postdoctoral fellows, or for basic research.  

Proposal Preparation

The GAP program is a two-step process. The first step is to complete a pre-proposal submission outlining specific ideas for GAP funding. The pre-proposal is reviewed by non-University panel. If the pre-proposal is selected to participate in creating a full GAP proposal, you will be asked to submit a final proposal.

Required Elements of a GAP Nomination

1.  A two- to three-page (max.) pre-proposal

2. If pre-proposal is accepted, a full GAP proposal that includes:

  • Biography of a Principal Investigator (PI)
  • A description of the problem to be solved
  • Novel technology (include a solution using the technology)
  • Potential solution(s)
  • Picture/diagram of the potential product (optional)
  • Description of the market (include market size & competition)
  • A work plan and timeline (less than one year preferred)
  • Budget breakdown
  • Letters of interest from potential commercial partners (optional)
  • Discussion with Licensing Manager about IP Protection

3. PowerPoint Presentation - PDFs will not be accepted (10-minute limit)
    Note: Presentations will not be made to the GAP committee unless IP Protection is secured.

4. Participation in a "practice" presentation 

5. Presentation to the GAP committee

Important Information and Documents

GAP FAQs

Pre-Proposal Form

Pre-Proposal Example

Proposal Example 1

Proposal Example 2

GAP Presentation Guidelines

Evaluation, Awards and Reports

Initial review and comments will be provided by the Office of Commercialization.

Competitive review and funding recommendations will be provided by a committee which is chaired by an FSURF board member and includes outside business members. Final approval will be made by the FSU Research Foundation Board of Directors.

Once funded, the faculty member and key personnel will report project progress and accomplishments at their scheduled milestones.

At completion, a Final Report will be provided within 30 days and a brief Annual Status Report will be required for 3 years to assist in evaluating the GAP program and determining its direct and indirect benefits to FSU, including new products, new companies, new services, and new related federal or other external grants.

GAP Committee

Chris Eldred, President, Teligent EMS

Chuck Hall, Retires, HCA Healthcare National Group President

Eric Holmes, Assistant Vice President for Research

Stacey Patterson, Vice President for Research

Charles Ranson, International Trade and Development Consultant

Amy Recht, Manager, Beresford Ventures, LLC

Steve Roden, Chief Executive Office, Gray Harvey Enterprises

Don Rosenkoetter, Managing Director, Co-Investment Partnership, LLC

Chris Rumana, Retired Physician

Jamie Rutledge, Head of Technology Scouting, Dyson

Kay Stephenson, President and CEO, Datamaxx Group

Kim Williams, President, Marpan Supply Co., Inc.

Previous GAP Awards

Program Contact

Submit electronic pre-proposals, proposals, and PowerPoint slides to:

commercialization@fsu.edu