Faculty researchers are invited to submit letters of intent for the 2027 cycle of the Penn State Commercialization GAP Fund, which provides targeted funding and support to help move promising research closer to commercialization. To be eligible, the principal investigator must be a full-time researcher at Penn State. The deadline for submitting the letter of intent is Oct. 9.
The Commercialization GAP Fund is designed to bridge the gap between promising research innovations and their readiness for market entry. The program provides investigators with funding and other support to advance prototypes, validate technologies, conduct market assessments, and reduce technical, and commercial risk ultimately moving projects to a stage sufficient to attract a commercial licensee or investor.
Up to $75,000 in direct costs is available for a project lasting up to one year. GAP funds may be used to support personnel working directly on the proposed project, materials and supplies, consumables, equipment, and fieldwork directly related to the project. GAP funds cannot be used for travel.
In addition, an outstanding microbiome-related proposal may be selected to receive the Peter and Ann Tombros Award for Life Science Innovation and Commercialization, providing up to $100,000 in direct costs in lieu of a standard GAP Fund award. The award recognizes outstanding Penn State faculty-led microbiome-related research by providing funding to advance the development of an innovative product, therapeutic or other technology with significant commercialization potential. Selection of the Tombros Award recipient will be made by the GAP review committee in coordination with a dedicated committee from the One Health Microbiome Center.
To be considered, projects should:
- Involve microbiome-related research or technology
- Demonstrate strong translational potential
- Address an important unmet need
- Have a clear pathway toward licensing, startup formation, or industry adoption
The letter of intent should include the following:
- Title of the invention or technology
- Technology summary (maximum 250 words)
- Provide the invention/technology disclosure number and current intellectual property (IP) status with Penn State
- Indicate whether a market study and competitive landscape analysis have been conducted
- Indicate whether any potential licensee, investor, or entrepreneur has expressed interest. Attaching a support letter from an identified industry partner expressing interest would be beneficial
- Describe how you plan to use the GAP Fund funding
- If applicable, indicate whether your technology involves microbiome-related research and briefly describe its relevance
All submitted letters of intent will undergo an initial review to assess eligibility, commercial potential, alignment with the objectives of the GAP Fund and overall program fit. Based on this review, a select group of applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Submission of a letter of intent does not guarantee an invitation to submit a full proposal.
Important dates for the 2027 cycle include:
- Information session: Sept. 9, 2026, noon to 1 p.m.: https://psu.zoom.us/j/97615471223
- Deadline for submitting letter of intent: Oct. 9, 2026
- Invitation to submit a full proposal: Nov. 4, 2026
- Deadline for submitting a full proposal: Dec. 14, 2026
- Oral presentation: March 23, 2027
- Award notification: April/May 2027
- Funding period: July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028
To learn more, visit the Gap Fund website.
