Oregon BEST accelerates cutting-edge research and expands Oregon's shared-user network of university research expertise and laboratories through strategic investments in research and facilities that leverage additional federal, foundation, and industry funding. Connecting Oregon industry to this research capability generates public-private partnerships that transform research into new technologies, companies, and jobs.

COMMERCIALIZATION GRANT PROGRAM

The Oregon BEST Commercialization Grant Program accelerates the commercialization of technologies developed by universities and small businesses in Oregon collaborating with Oregon BEST’s member faculty.

Oregon BEST helps Commercialization Partners create much-needed jobs for Oregonians. Supporting the development of new products and services helps enable companies to secure private investment, customer revenue, and federal SBIR/STTR grants that fuel new job creation at these companies. Simultaneously, the technologies commercialized help address the challenges of climate change issues, our nation’s dependence on oil, the environmental impacts of energy generation and building materials production, and the quality of our indoor environments.  

The Commercialization Grant Program focuses on helping bridge the gap between traditional R&D funding sources and the availability of private investment – a gap commonly known as the “valley of death.” By working with Oregon BEST member faculty at our partner universities, the university tech transfer offices, and small businesses, we identify opportunities for small investments to make a big impact in moving products and services to market and to achieving success in securing private financing.

RESEARCH FACILITY INVESTMENTS

Oregon BEST invests strategically in university research facilities that advance Oregon BEST's mission of economic development and job creation through research and development of green building and renewable energy technologies from the Oregon University System (OUS). These investments help Oregon's research faculty, green industry, and students gain access to cutting-edge research tools and expertise.

In 2009, Oregon BEST worked with teams of faculty at Oregon State University (OSU), Portland State University (PSU), and the University of Oregon (UO) to make facilities investments in equipping four Oregon BEST Signature Research Facilities. Oregon BEST invested $1.2 million and helped broker another $1.7 million from other funding sources for a total of $3.9 million invested in four facilities:

• SuNRISE Photovoltaics Laboratory at UO
• Oregon Process Innovation Center (OPIC) for Sustainable Solar Cell Manufacturing at OSU
• Green Building Materials Laboratory at OSU
• Green Building Research Laboratory at PSU

NOTE: A Request for Proposals for 2010-2011 Facility Investment funding is available here. The submission deadline was May 10, 2010; the solicitation is now closed.

PROPOSAL MATCHING PROGRAM

Oregon BEST's Proposal Matching Program provides matching funds to research and equipment acquisition proposals seeking competitive external funding. This program leverages the state's investment in renewable energy and green building research by making proposals from Oregon faculty more competitive and increasing the level of outside funding of these areas