§1862p–2 Partnerships for Innovation

Summary

The Director must run a competitive, merit-reviewed grant program that gives money to colleges and universities to set up or grow partnerships that help turn scientific discoveries into real-world uses. To get a grant, a school must propose a partnership that includes at least one private company. The partnership may also include other colleges, government agencies, businesses, or nonprofits. The Director must give priority to partnerships that include a minority-serving institution, a primarily undergraduate school, or a 2-year college. Funded projects must boost the impact of promising research by moving ideas toward use or sale; involve faculty and students from many fields (including business and other non-STEM areas); teach and mentor people in innovation and entrepreneurship; build a stronger culture of innovation with economic or social benefits; include all types of colleges to help meet STEM workforce needs; and create lasting local and regional ties with businesses and governments. The Director will look for evidence that the school supports the project, plans to expand it campus-wide if needed, and can keep new tools and resources going. Grant money cannot be used to build or renovate buildings.