innovate arkansas

The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority announced today $356,975 in grant funding available to qualified companies through the Technology Transfer Assistance Grant program for FY'09 (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009). TTAG provides financial assistance to Arkansas-based companies for specialized projects, ranging from software customization to technical consultations.

Under TTAG, qualified applicants are eligible for up to two grants, each valued at up to $3,750, per fiscal year. Created in 1994, TTAG assists Arkansas enterprises in the improvement of products or processes through the transfer of technical solutions to technology-based, industry-driven problems, thus enhancing that enterprise's competitiveness.

"Over the last 13 years, TTAG grants have afforded numerous opportunities for Arkansas manufacturers to improve their bottom line results through the transfer of technology," said Dan Curtis, director of AMS. "The current economic climate is an additional incentive to apply and be considered for these funds."

The program is funded through state appropriations of $156,975. To assist manufacturers that might be interested in TTAG funds, Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions, a program of the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority, provided an additional $200,000, bringing the total to $356,975.

For companies that meet eligibility requirements, the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority funds up to $3,750 of costs associated with transferring new or existing technology from a qualified provider such as a public or private consultant, laboratory or institution to an Arkansas enterprise up to twice per year. Each project must have a time frame of no longer than 90 days.

Company eligibility is broadly defined to encourage submissions that reflect the greatest potential for project success on a case-by-case basis. Arkansas enterprises including manufacturers, both large and small, are eligible.

Qualified applications should include one or more technology transfer resource providers who possess or have the capability to locate innovative technology to transfer to a specific Arkansas-based enterprise.

For more information, visit www.asta.ar.gov/ttagp.html, or contact a TTAG coordinator at (501) 683-4409.

(This article was originally published on the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority's Web site.)