aboutOtm Link Technologies Link Industry Link Faculty Link Community Link Material Transfer Link Bear Cub Fund Link Contacts Link Home Link
Mailing Address:
660 S. Euclid Avenue
Campus Box 8013
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 747-0920
(314) 362-5872 (fax)

Street Address:
724 S. Euclid Avenue
Suite 2259
St. Louis, MO 63110

Bear Cub Fund

The Bear Cub Fund was initiated by the Vice Chancellor for Research to support faculty in translational studies not normally supported by federal grants from NIH, NSF and other sources.

Bear Cub Fund awards are designed to support research or development, extending basic observations to serve as the "foundation" for a start-up company or to increase the possibility for commercial licensing and/or investment potential. Such "proof of concept" studies, often required by investors, whether operating companies or venture capitalists, provide additional confidence that the idea will work in an "applied" setting.

The Bear Cub Fund program has two (2) application cycles each year - March and September, with award decisions being made within 45 days from each of the submission deadline dates. The individual awards of $20,000 - $50,000 are intended to support short-term projects of one (1) year or less by providing financial assistance for technical staff salaries and/or supplies.

A review committee comprised of people from the University and commercial sectors will make award decisions based on scientific and business criteria. The Director of OTM will chair the committee.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:
March 15, 2008
September 15, 2008

INVENTION DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT: Bear Cub Fund applications require that inventors submit, or have submitted, an Invention Disclosure to the Office of Technology Management (OTM) at least four (4) months prior to the submission of a Bear Cub Fund application. If you have an invention with commercial applications but have not yet submitted an invention disclosure, please contact OTM for help with this process.

WHO MAY APPLY: Any faculty, post doctoral fellow, graduate student or other employee of Washington University in St. Louis, who have submitted an invention disclosure, may apply.

For additional information, contact Brad Castanho at the Office of Technology Management. Contact information can be found at http://otm.wustl.edu.

When completing the application, concentrate on the following issues:
  • Clearly define the stage of research.
  • Identify those who would benefit most from your ideas.
  • Describe what the University should expect from investing in your work.
  • Budget proposal.
Our fax number is (314) 362-5872.


Bear Cub Application (.doc)
Bear Cub Application (.pdf)