The Governor's University-ACE
The Governor's University-ACE (Award for Commercialization Excellence) is an annual recognition designed to inspire and reward a public university researcher and key team members whose research advances the development and commercialization of new technologies into viable products and services that benefit the local, state, and national economies and contributes to the improvement of the overall quality of life in Michigan.

The Governor's University-ACE honors technologies developed by faculty and staff who are employed by the 15 public universities in Michigan. Award criteria include the economic impact of the commercialized research, its current stage of commercialization, and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by the university rsearcher.


Commercialization - Defined
The term "commercialization," or "technology transfer" as it is offered referred to, is a process whereby a new product or procedure developed by a university or federal laboratory is licensed for commercial development to a private company. The process is highly dependent upon scientists having access to the discoveries of other researchers. Technology transfer is a two-way flow between universities and industry in which academic involvement can take three forms: (1) the product is invented at a university but developed by an existing, private company; (2) the invention originates outside the university and academic researchers improve upon it; and (3) the invention originates at a university and faculty members participate in its commercial development through the establishment of a startup firm.


Award Prizes
A total of $50,000 will be awarded through the Governor's University-ACE. One winning lead university researcher will be selected in each of two categories and will receive a $25,000 cash prize.


Reward Categories
The Governor's University-ACE is be granted annually to two university researchers, each which represents one of two categories of universities. The first category consists of universities that have average annual research expenditures under $100 million (as tabulated and defined by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System – National Center for Education Statistics). The second category consists of those with average annual research expenditures exceeding $100 million.

Category I Award Participants
Representing universities with annual research expenditures under $100 million:

Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Ferris State University
Grand Valley State University
Lake Superior State University
Michigan Technological University
Northern Michigan University
Oakland University
Saginaw Valley State University
University of Michigan-Dearborn
University of Michigan-Flint
Western Michigan University

Category II Award Participants
Representing universities with annual research expenditures over $100 million:

Michigan State University
University of Michigan
Wayne State University


Eligibility Requirements
Research must have been conducted by faculty or staff at one of Michigan's 15 public universities.
Licensing must have begun no longer than seven years prior to nomination for the award.
Technology must be licensed and/or spun off into a for-profit company with a strong presence in Michigan.


Award Selection Criteria
The selection criteria for the Governor's University-ACE is based on a weighted scale and considers the economic impact of the research (50%), the stage of commercialization the research is currently at (25%), and the entrepreneurial spirit displayed by the nominee (25%). The nomination application form more fully articulates the information considered as part of the award selection criteria.


Nominations
Lead Researchers can be nominated by internal colleagues, external partners or can be self-nominated.


Nomination Application Forms
Application forms for the Governor's University-ACE can be dowloaded via a link located at the bottom of this page (Microsoft Word file)


Nomination Procedures
Submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 2006.
Only electronic submissions will be accepted at ACE@pcsum.org.
Awards to be presented at the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium on the evening of May 16, 2006 at the Eagle Crest Conference Center on the campus of Eastern Michigan University (visit www.michigangcs.com to learn more about the symposium).


Selection Process
Applicants will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of university, government and private industry professionals. Each application is weighted on a 100 point scale (Economic Impact=50; Stage of Commercialization=25; Entrepreneurial Spirit=25). If deemed necessary, finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee in April of 2006. One winner will be chosen per category.


Inquiries
Please direct questions regarding the Governor's University-ACE to:

Daniel J. Hurley, Ph.D., Director of University Relations and Administrative Services
Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan
101 S. Washington Square, Suite 600
Lansing, Michigan 48933
Phone: 517.482.1563
E-mail: dhurley@pcsum.org

Application for the Governor's University Award for Commercialization Excellence
Click below to download a Microsoft Word version of the official U-ACE application. After completing the application, send it as an attachment to ACE@pcsum.org

Award Application