Touchdown Awards

These awards aim to accelerate the translation of K-State intellectual property and innovative technologies toward commercialization or licensing opportunities.

Program Design

• Administered by the Kansas State University Research Foundation (KSURF) and funded from licensing revenue and royalties rather than from OVPR or One K-State intramural funds.
• Award size and number of awards are determined annually by KSURF based on available licensing and royalty revenue and are announced in the KSURF call for proposals (to be determined).
• Eligible activities include prototype development, validation studies, market assessments, and preparation for SBIR/STTR proposals or licensing discussions.
• KSURF conducts the review in coordination with Innovation and Partnerships and the OVPR. ORD tracks TOUCHDOWN awards within the Ad Astra portfolio for reporting purposes.

Funding Duration

Up to two years.

Expected Outcome

Verifiable commercial progress, such as a license, patent, investment interest, or external commercialization funding.