Invest NI-Framework for Patent Appraisal Services

Tender description

Invest NI‘s Proof of Concept programme is grant funding to stimulate and support the pre-commercialisation of leading-edge technologies emerging from our universities, research institutes and NHS Boards. It facilitates and accelerates the development of research outcomes to “proof of concept” stage, and ultimately to position projects for commercialisation and adoption by industry. Projects typically occur after curiosity-driven research and the programme will support the development of the technology to Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-4. As part of the appraisal process INI require an independent intellectual property review of applications deemed worthy of support by the programmes Assessment Panels. The report, which will comment on prior art; an assessment of the innovation and potential patent infringements, will be instrumental in determining whether the Assessment Panel upholds its original recommendation to support or not.