TTAC Proof of Concept Program

Launch Tennessee's TTAC Proof of Concept Program is the first stage in the TTAC ladder for Tennessee researchers who need small validation capital before pursuing SBIR, STTR, or licensing. It supports faculty and staff at TTAC member institutions when the underlying technology still needs an early proof point. Awards run from $1,500 to $15,000. Applicants must have filed an invention disclosure with their home institution, and the FY26 cycle opened August 1, 2025 with a rolling deadline through January 15, 2026 or until funds were exhausted. Applications are submitted through Airtable and need a project summary, timeline, detailed budget, and disclosure confirmation. The program fits projects with real commercialization potential but limited evidence so far. Strong applications are specific about the experiment, the market path, and how the institution's invention process will support the work, because the grant is meant to move a concrete idea one step closer to industry use.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.