The William J. von Liebig Center in the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, is pleased to announce the eighth round of its innovative seed funding program.  

 While 2005 was the most successful year in the Center’s history, we have made exciting changes for 2006:

• First, our grants have been increased. We now have three tiers – $25,000, $50,000, and $75,000 – the largest of which is 50% more than our previous maximum grant.
• Second, we are encouraging other areas of the University to apply in partnership with Engineering faculty. We are particularly interested in statements of intent from researchers in Medicine and in Calit2 who have partners in Engineering. In some cases, staff at the Center may be able to help team applicants up with researchers in Engineering.

 The following is our 2006-1 Spring Solicitation schedule:

• February 9, 2006         Invitation to Apply
• March 3, 2006             Statement of Intent Due
• March 30, 2006           Full proposal Due
• April 25-27 , 2006       Presentations
• May 19, 2006               Funding Announcements

Instructions and the application form are available here. To download PDFs, click on links:

- Application Guidelines  

- Application Form

Several business advisors at the von Liebig Center are available to assist you with the completion of your application.  If you would like to consult with one of them before submitting a statement of intent (SOI), please send an e-mail to vonliebigadvisors@soe.ucsd.edu, or contact Liz Bongolan, Operations Manager, at lbongola@ucsd.edu.

 Background

 The mission of the von Liebig Center is to facilitate and promote technology commercialization at the University of California, San Diego. It does that by providing seed grants to technologies with near-term market prospects – we do not fund research -- as well as via its staff of experienced entrepreneurs and advisors who can assist you in all stages of evaluating the commercial prospects of your technology.   

The value from the von Liebig Center goes beyond simply funding the early-stage project.  “The grant money from the von Liebig Center was only a small portion of their efforts that led to the formation of a new company based on my invention,” says Yuhwa Lo, Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of California, San Diego and Cofounder of Nova Crystals and Rhevision Technology. “The work performed by the advisors and staff continues to be the real benefit of the Center.” 

We look forward to receiving your proposals.

Dr. Paul Kedrosky
Executive Director, William J. von Liebig Center