Success Stories

FPTT Awards: Objectives and Criteria

Statement of Intent of the FPTT Awards:

Increasingly, the priority of both Government and the private sector is to exploit Canadian talent and resources in federal research organizations for the good of Canada.

Since the establishment of the annual awards program in 1998, FPTT has honoured 45 teams and individuals who have transferred a wide array of knowledge, techniques, services and products that have created jobs, generated wealth and contributed to the economic and social well-being of Canadians at home, while cultivating new markets abroad.

Purpose of the Awards:

• Recognize Canadian federal employees for their outstanding achievements in the transfer of federal research and its subsequent exploitation.
• Demonstrate the impact of R&D; undertaken in the Canadian federal government.
• Raise the profile of technology transfer activities in Canadian federal research organizations.

Download Call for Nominations Form.

FPTT Technology Transfer Awards

FPTT Excellence in Technology Transfer Award – Award recognizes the successful transfer of technology from Canadian federal research organizations leading to significant public good or economic impact. (Up to 5 awards bestowed upon nominee(s) from FPTT Partner organizations who are actively involved in technology transfer and when appropriate the private sector firms who have successfully exploited the technology).

FPTT Leadership in Technology Transfer Award – Award recognizes outstanding skill in technology transfer and/or excellence in technology transfer management. (One award bestowed upon nominee(s) from FPTT Partner organizations who are actively involved in technology transfer).

All submissions for the 2006 FPTT Technology Transfer Awards must be received by the FPTT Executive Office by February 15, 2006.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Nominee(s) are employee(s) of a FPTT Partner organization. A private sector firm may be included if they are the receptor of the technology.
• At least 50% of the research was conducted within a Canadian federal science-based department or agency, and at least 75% of the transfer effort was undertaken by staff within a FPTT Partner organization.
• Technology transfer is defined in its broadest sense and may include knowledge transfer.
• The nominated achievement must be submitted by a FPTT Partner organization.
• A maximum of six individuals to be included per nominated achievement (note – one individual may represent an entire organization).
• The nominated achievement must be endorsed by a senior official from the FPTT Partner organization confirming that they support the nomination for an award and will approve costs for attendance of at least one member of the winning team at the awards ceremony. (Must be at the director general level or higher).
• Letters from technology receptors endorsing the nominated achievement are encouraged.

AWARDS CRITERIA

Please review the award criteria (below) carefully before preparing a nomination. It is important to note that these awards are designed specifically for technology transfer; they are not for research. Each item of the award criteria must be addressed in the Nomination Submission Statement. Because each item of the award criteria is worth a certain number of points, each criterion must be addressed in the Nomination Submission Statement. If an item is not applicable, please indicate this in the narrative, and the Awards Review Committee will take this into account.

AWARDS REVIEW COMMITTEE:

• The Awards Review Committee chairperson will be selected from the private sector S&T; community.
• The Awards Review Committee will consist of a minimum of three members from the private sector involved in the Canadian S&T; community (including the Chair) as well as one observer from the FPTT Steering Committee.
• Two new members will be recruited to the Awards Review Committee each year to allow two members to retire, thus allowing for continuity and for rejuvenation.
• The Awards Review Committee will score the nominated achievements against the award criteria and select award recipients.

AWARDS CRITERIA

FPTT EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AWARD

FPTT Excellence in Technology Transfer Award – Award recognizes the successful transfer of technology from Canadian federal research organizations leading to significant public good or economic impact. (Up to 5 awards bestowed upon nominee(s) from FPTT Partner organizations who are actively involved in technology transfer and when appropriate the private sector firms who have successfully exploited the technology).

Instructions: Because each item of the award criteria is worth a certain number of points, each criterion must be addressed in the submission. If an item is not applicable, please indicate this in the narrative, and this will be taken into account by the Awards Review Committee.

Section A – Background and Technology Transfer Process
(40 out of 100)

• Technology Factors (10 points) – What technology was transferred? Briefly describe the features of the technology, benefits, limitations, etc. Who or what was the recipient of the transferred technology? Why was the technology needed? What problem was solved by the technology/technical advance? What was the nominee(s)’ involvement in the technology’s development or availability?
• Initiation of Technology Transfer Partnership (5 points) – Was the partnership for the technology/technical advance initiated by the laboratory, the company, or other entity? What were the specific roles, goals, objectives, and expectations of each partner? How well were they met?
• Technology Transfer Processes Used/Innovations (20 points) – What technology transfer processes (e.g., CRADAs, licensing, etc.) were used to transfer the technology? Describe the process used, including any innovation or creativity demonstrated by the nominee(s) in transferring the technology.
• Time Frame Challenges (5 points) – What was the timeframe for the transfer? As succinctly as possible, provide a short outline of the events that led to technology transfer. What were the major challenges/constraints, if any, in transferring the technology on time? How were these challenges overcome or averted?

Section B – Results: (60 out of 100)

• Follow-up activities (10 points) – Describe any additional activities or applications that might be developed. (This might include continuing problem-solving efforts or further assistance with commercializing the technology or helping the community/public sector).
• Outcome of Technology Transfer Effort (50 points) – What was the final result of the technology transfer effort—a commercial product, CRADA, license agreement, licensing revenues or fees earned, positive impact in community/public sector, spin-off company? What agreements are pending and/or final regarding this technology? What are the tangible benefits of the transfer effort? What is the significance of these benefits—both in the present and in the future?

FPTT LEADERSHIP IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AWARD

FPTT Leadership in Technology Transfer Award – Award recognizes outstanding skill in technology transfer and/or excellence in technology transfer management. (One award bestowed upon nominee(s) from FPTT Partner organizations who are actively involved in technology transfer).

Instructions: The following criteria should be considered when describing the nominee(s) accomplishments and why he/she are deserving of this award.

• Leadership Role (25 points) – Influence and contribution to both the practice of technology transfer and commercialization and to the development of a culture of innovation and technology transfer in the federal government.
• Skill and Knowledge (25 points) – Timeliness, efficiency and quality (i.e. provide excellent service to clients, saved time and money, innovative and creative approach to technology transfer, ability to recognize and take advantage of opportunities, ability to collaborate with groups from different organizations or disciplines, etc.).
• Persistence and Extraordinary Effort (20 points) – Extent to which the effort was over and above normal expectations of the nominee’s responsibilities (i.e. extent to which goals were accomplished, high commitment to succeeding, etc.).
• Impact (15 points) – Degree and significance of the impact of the nominee’s work (i.e. increased technology transfer activities, impact on clients and/or colleagues, what would have happened if this work had not done, etc.).
• Challenges (15 points) – Degree of difficulty encountered and how these challenges were overcome.

AWARDS CEREMONY

All Award recipients will receive an FPTT awards plaque and a gift commemorating their achievement. They will also be honoured at an awards ceremony being held on June 1, 2006 in Ottawa.

At least one nominee from each winning nomination must participate in the awards ceremony. (FPTT will NOT cover any of the travel costs associated with participation at the awards ceremony).

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A complete submission will consist of the following items:

• Completed Nomination Cover Page
• Completed Nomination Submission Form including senior official endorsement
• Completed Nomination Verification Checklist

Note:

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

Nominations must be submitted by close of business on February 15, 2006 to the FPTT Executive Office (submissions received after that date will not be accepted).

1. Original signed copy of the nomination must be received by February 15th, 2006 endorsed by the senior official of the nominee’s department or agency (signed copy sent by fax may be acceptable if approved by the FPTT Executive Office).

2. The nomination form must also be submitted electronically.

3. Senior Official (director general level or higher) endorsement is needed to confirm that the information provided in the nomination is accurate and that they support this nomination for an award.

4. Supporting documentation should NOT be included in the nomination package (letters from technology receptors endorsing the nominated achievement will be accepted).

5. Nomination Statements must be typed on the forms provided.

6. A completed Verification Checklist MUST be completed and attached as the last page of the original nomination submission.

7. A notice verifying receipt of your submission will be sent by the FPTT Executive Office.

For additional information, please call:

Morna Paterson
Executive Director
Federal Partners in Technology Transfer
Telephone: 613-998-5285
E-mail: morna.paterson@nrc-nrc.gc.ca