commercialization of federally funded research may benefit society and the economy; and

not-for-profit organizations support the commercialization of federally funded research by providing useful business and technical expertise to researchers.

identifying Foundation-sponsored research and technologies that have the potential for accelerated commercialization;

supporting prior or current Foundation-sponsored investigators, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations that partner with an institution of higher education in undertaking proof-of-concept work, including development of prototypes of technologies that are derived from Foundation-sponsored research and have potential market value;

promoting sustainable partnerships between Foundation-funded institutions, industry, and other organizations within academia and the private sector with the purpose of accelerating the transfer of technology;

developing multi-disciplinary innovation ecosystems which involve and are responsive to specific needs of academia and industry; and

providing professional development, mentoring, and advice in entrepreneurship, project management, and technology and business development to innovators.