Funding program will award 11 small businesses a total of $825,000 for technology developments that meet the needs of DHS S&T and/or USAMRMC
COLUMBIA, Md. (May 4, 2011) – The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), announced today the establishment and availability of the Joint Technology Transfer Initiative (JTTI). Through this Congressionally-funded program, a total of $825,000 will be awarded to eleven small businesses developing technologies that meet the needs of DHS and/or USAMRMC, or to companies licensing and commercializing DHS and/or USAMRMC technologies. Each company will receive a maximum of $75,000 of funding during the two year program. Applications for the JTTI program are now being accepted for consideration and potential funding.
“One of the most solemn obligations we have as public servants is to protect the safety and security of our people,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The Joint Technology Transfer Initiative will produce technologies designed to protect our troops and homeland, and I’d like to commend TEDCO, DHS, the U.S. Army and our local economic development leaders for realizing that by investing in innovation we can save lives.”
“The Joint Technology Transfer Initiative promises to be another standout funding program with tremendous potential for TEDCO and Maryland business,” said Rob Rosenbaum, president and executive director of TEDCO. “The benefits of the JTTI program are twofold in that those awarded with funding will have a direct pathway to commercializing their technologies, while the DHS and USAMRMC will receive valuable technology products to help them focus on protecting the country’s military defense system, first responders, and the Homeland Security enterprise.”
Funding is for collaborative projects between a small business and DHS and/or USAMRMC. Additionally, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) will provide business planning, and development assistance to JTTI awardees as needed. The program will operate on an open submissions process with a sixty day review cycle. The proposal review process begins the fifteenth of each month and will be reviewed by a formal review committee, consisting of senior members from DHS, USAMRMC, TEDCO and the Frederick County OED.
“The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command relies on new medical technologies to ensure our troops are successful on and off the battlefield,” said Paul Mele, Director of Office of Research and Technology Applications at USAMRMC. “The Joint Technology Transfer Initiative will play an important role in obtaining medical products and devices that will protect and sustain the health and safety of our servicemen and women through critical deployment and combat times.”
Proposals for JTTI funding are currently being accepted through the TEDCO website and will be reviewed according to the official application guidelines (www.MarylandTEDCO.org). For more information on the JTTI, please contact Ron Kaese by phone at (410) 715-4170 or by email at rkaese@marylandtedco.org.