The Office of Commercialization has awarded six WSU researchers with the Commercialization Gap Fund (CGF). The CGF supports research projects with high market potential and provides researchers up to $50,000 to demonstrate that their innovations(s) have the ability to make an economic impact in society.
The CGF is intended to be the final funding step for near-market technologies. The funding has supported research in the areas of cleantech, engineering, human and animal health, agricultural and/or information technologies. Funds will be distributed using a milestone-driven process with stipulated goals reached before the next funding increment is approved.
“The Commercialization Gap Funding Awards help bridge the gap between lab innovations and their real-world application,” said Jeremy Tamsen, director of the Office of Commercialization. “This targeted funding aims to propel new inventions from the benchtop into the real world, allowing these WSU-created solutions to help overcome pressing challenges. Our investments in research and development fuel a cycle of innovation that benefits U.S. economies and society as a whole.”
This targeted funding aims to propel new inventions from the benchtop into the real world, allowing these WSU-created solutions to help overcome pressing challenges.
Jeremy Tamsen, director
Office of Commercialization
Washington State University
Since the re-establishment of the program in 2014, the CGF has made available over $4.9 million in research funding by awarding 94 proposals and 28 special projects. These awardees include technologies with 74 issued patents, 120 provisional patents filed, 7 trademarks filed, and 7 copyrights filed. Additionally, 53 of the technologies have resulted in licensing deals with outside companies and 25 start-up companies have been formed. The gap funding support resulted in more than $44.52 million follow-on funding for these technologies.
The CGF is made possible through the support of the Washington Research Foundation and was initially jumpstarted through the support of the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of Research.
The 2025 CGF awardees and their projects are:
- Jeffrey Bell
Department of Chemistry
“Efficient Decoupling of Electrolytes with Enhanced Buffer System and Magnetic Field Assistance for Stable and High-Energy Aqueous Zinc-Manganese Dioxide Batteries” - Glen House and Dominic Brenner
Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences
“A new innovative adaptive technology device to improve bowel function and continence in individuals with neuro-degenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries” - Manoj Karkee
Department of Biological Systems Engineering
“Robotic System for King-Flower Pollination in Commercial Orchards” - Yuehe Lin
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
“Highly Durable Bimetallic Phosphide Nanofoam Catalysts for Efficient Total Water Splitting” - Anjali Sharma
Department of Chemistry
“Trehalose-terminated mixed layered dendrimer composition” - Liang Yu
Department of Biological Systems Engineering
“Two-Stage Hyperthermophilic Anaerobic Acidification and Engineered Yeast Fermentation System for the Conversion of Food Waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Bioplastics.”
