The Crimson Catalyst program supports UA researchers and innovators in advancing technologies from lab to market. By providing targeted funding, the initiative bridges the gap between early-stage research and market-ready solutions, fostering economic growth and societal impact. Key objectives of the program include:
- Advance promising technologies to a stage where they can attract commercial interest or additional funding.
- Support proof-of-concept studies, prototype development, or market validation activities.
- Foster entrepreneurship and encourage the formation of startups.
- Enhance the University of Alabama’s reputation as a hub for innovation and economic development.
Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to
- UA faculty: Tenure and non-tenure track faculty leading research efforts.
- Staff and researchers: Those employed by UA and involved in research or technology.
Technologies should
- Originate from UA research.
- Be novel and have potential for intellectual property protection.
- Have clear commercial potential in terms of licensing or startup creation.
Funding Scope
Grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per project for:
- Prototype development: Building physical or digital prototypes.
- Market validation: Conducting market research or engaging with potential customers.
- Proof-of-concept testing: Demonstrating technology feasibility.
- Business plan development: Preparing for startup launch or investment pitches.
Teams can apply for up to three cycles for funding for the same project, not exceeding a total of $75,000.
Application Process
- Call for concept papers: Each Spring semester, the university issues an open call for concept papers, inviting faculty to propose high-impact research ideas. These concept papers, which may target broad or specific areas based on strategic priorities, are concise documents that outline the project’s goals, methodologies, potential societal impact, and alignment with university objectives.
- Initial selection of proposals: Once submitted, an internal review panel evaluates each proposal for alignment with fund objectives and shortlists an initial set of projects.
- Advisory committee review: A committee comprising entrepreneurs, investors, and/or industry experts evaluates shortlisted projects and provides recommendations. Specifically, the committee evaluates each proposal’s relevance, feasibility, translational potential, and strategic alignment, ensuring that selected projects contribute to the university’s research priorities.
- Detailed proposal development: Faculty members whose projects advance from the advisory committee review stage are invited to submit a comprehensive proposal detailing milestones, deliverables, resource needs, and any project risks. To support this stage, the university organizes workshops and pairs each team with subject matter experts. This guidance helps faculty refine their proposals, set clear goals, and address any gaps. A Mentorship Program further supports project teams, pairing them with mentors such as senior faculty, industry professionals, or grant-writing experts who provide quarterly progress reviews, guidance on achieving milestones, and assistance in navigating challenges.
- Final selection: Projects that have successfully completed the detailed development phase are presented at the annual Crimson Catalyst Pitch Competition in early Fall Semester. A panel of judges – comprising individuals with experience in research, technology, industry, and venture funding, bringing valuable perspectives on innovation, scalability, and market relevance – determines which projects are to be funded. Judges evaluate projects based on their commercial potential, scalability, and alignment with the university’s mission of translational impact.
- Award distribution: To ensure that funded projects remain on track, the university has a structured milestone-based funding release process. Funds are distributed in phases, with progress reviews and adjustments based on milestone execution. Team leads provide updates regularly (approximately bi-weekly) to ART Team Leadership to report on their achievements, address any challenges, and receive additional support as needed. This continuous review process facilitates proactive adjustments to timelines, goals, or resource allocations, ensuring projects meet their objectives.
Evaluation Criteria
- Technical feasibility: Is the innovation viable and sufficiently advanced for development?
- Market potential: Is there a clear commercial application or demand for the technology?
- Impact: Does the technology address a significant societal or market need?
- Team capability: Does the team have the expertise to achieve project goals?
- Budget justification: Is the proposed use of funds reasonable and aligned with project milestones?
Questions?
Contact Nicholas Brown in the Research ASSIST Office at nebrown7@ua.edu or (205) 348-0898.