OAR 123-089-0080: Programs

(1) Centers of Innovation Excellence (CIEs): The Department and Oregon InC may dedicate a portion of the Fund to support the operations of one or more Centers of Innovation Excellence (CIEs). CIEs incentivize collaboration and foster innovation within Oregon’s existing and emerging traded sectors by catalyzing the commercialization and deployment of new products, services and processes. CIEs represent the evolution of the former Signature Research Center (SRC) model and are statewide, sector-specific, public-private partnerships that develop the funding, talent and support services in sectors where Oregon has a competitive advantage. Each CIE will be designed and operated in a way that meets the needs of the specific sector and the existing assets in that sector. In accordance with these rules, the Department will conduct a process to request and evaluate applications for CIEs with defined criteria, expectations, eligible uses of funds and periods of submission. The Audit Committee will review and approve performance metrics and goals for the CIEs and perform regular evaluation of their performance. (2) Regional Innovation Hubs (Hubs) Program: The Department and Oregon InC may dedicate a portion of the Fund to issue grants to designate and support one or more Regional Innovation Hubs (“Hubs”). Hubs are regionally focused, sector-agnostic partnerships that implement programs, strategies and connections that meet the needs of innovation-based entrepreneurs in high-growth, traded-sector industries. Hubs build and advance a regional innovation ecosystem, as well as provide access to technical assistance, capital, networking, mentorship and talent development for innovators in these industries. In accordance with these rules, the Department will conduct a process to request and evaluate applications for Hub designation with defined criteria, expectations, eligible uses of funds and periods of submission. (3) High Impact Opportunity Projects (HIOPs) Program: The Department and Oregon InC may dedicate a portion of the Fund to issue grants that support the growth of emerging, potentially high-value industry sectors. The funding will support discrete projects, called High Impact Opportunity Projects (HIOPs), that will build or unite target industries around new or emerging technology, remove barriers to growth or increase capacity of Oregon InC’s target industries. HIOP funding is not intended to support the development or commercialization of an individual company’s technology or intellectual property. In accordance with these rules, the Department will conduct a process to request and evaluate proposals for HIOP grants with defined criteria, expectations, eligible uses of funds and periods of submission. (4) Commercialization Gap Fund Program: The Department and Oregon InC may dedicate a portion of the Fund to issue grants and/or investments that support commercialization of technologies by early-stage companies often in conjunction with university partners and CIEs. The Commercialization Gap Fund is focused on bridging early-stage capital gaps so that these companies can develop to the point of being attractive to private capital to continue their growth and development. In accordance with these rules, the Department will conduct a process to request and evaluate applications for the management of the Commercialization Gap Fund program with defined criteria, expectations, eligible uses of funds and periods of submission. (5) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Support Program: The Department and Oregon InC may dedicate a portion of the Fund to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Support Program. The SBIR Support Program is intended to help Oregon companies access federal commercialization funding and help those companies that do receive funding fill gaps in how the federal funding can be used. The SBIR Support Program applies specifically to the federal commercialization programs called the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which are designed to stimulate technological innovation and provide opportunities for small businesses to conduct research and development with commercialization potential. Hereafter, these rules refer to both the SBIR and STTR programs as SBIR. The federal SBIR program usually provides grants in two phases: Phase I grants help very early-stage companies do proof of concept/feasibility studies on new technologies, while Phase II grants build on Phase I work to help companies develop commercially ready prototypes to test with customers. The Department’s SBIR Support Program has two components: application assistance grants (called Phase 0 or Phase 00 Grants) and Matching Grants. Phase 0 or 00 Grants are awarded via an application process. As long as a company meets the eligibility requirements and funds are available, the grant is awarded. Matching Grants are awarded via a competitive, request for grant applications process. In accordance with these rules, the Department will institute a process to award Phase 0 and 00 Grants as well as a separate process to award Matching Grants. The processes will include eligibility requirements, eligible uses of funds and expectations among other things. (6) Other Programs or Activities: The Department and Oregon InC may dedicate a portion of the Fund to support other programs or activities that help achieve Oregon InC’s objectives. Any additional programs will be developed in accordance with these rules. If a new program will provide funding via a competitive process, the Department will issue one or more requests for applications or proposals with defined eligibility requirements, eligible uses of funds, criteria and periods of submission. If the funding is used for other activities, including sponsorships, the Department will develop the justification for why the funding is necessary and appropriate and what the funding will achieve. The Department will report on any other activities supported by the Fund at the Oregon InC meeting following the funding award.