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Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is the IMPACT Center? Expand

The IMPACT Center at the University of Pittsburgh is funded by NIDILRR to provide tools and approaches to comprehensively understand barriers and facilitators to successful Assistive Technology Tech Transfer (ATTT), raise awareness and increase the capacity of researchers and entrepreneurs to perform successful ATTT.

What services do you provide? Expand

The IMPACT Center provides:
1. Training - to assist researchers and entrepreneurs get their idea to market or the intended audience.
2. Research and Commercialization Tools - annual reports on successful technology transfer rates, as well as developing and expanding research-based models and approaches for transferring AT products to the marketplace.
3. Technical Support - for Technology Transfer Plans, and Potential Market Data to increase visibility of technology for licensing to support technology transfer and increase collaboration.

Check out the What We Do page to find out more.

Training

Who can apply to our training programs? Expand

The Massive Open Online Course on Coursera is open to all regardless of funding and can be taken at any time as the course is asynchronous (taken on your own with feedback from course peers). (Link to Coursera)

The Online Course idea 2 IMPACT (i2I) Boot Camp “idea 2 IMPACT: An Introduction to Translating Assistive Health Technologies and Other Products Bootcamp,”  is open to NIDILRR grantees and those seeking NIDILRR funding. It is sponsored by NIDILRR funds. An application to partake in IMPACT BootCamp is required. (Apply Here)

How long is each phase? Expand

Phase 1: IMPACT BootCamp - 6 weeks
Phase 2: IMPACT StartUp - 10 weeks
Phase 3: IMPACT Accelerate - 6 weeks

Where can I find the Technology Transfer Readiness Assessment Tool? Expand

Fine it Here!

Will the IMPACT Center sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement)? Expand

All participants (training team, mentors and training participants) sign a Public Disclosure and Confidentiality form when participating in the IMPACT Training.

How does the IMPACT Center handle intellectual property (IP)? Expand

The IMPACT Center does not claim ownership of any technology that participates in the training program. Invention disclosures should be filed with the participating team's university prior to participation, if applicable.

You can protect your innovation from public disclosure with a provisional patent application and/or by using a Confidentiality Agreement or Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA).  As early as possible, work with a lawyer, counsel or your technology transfer office to submit an Invention Disclosure, to provide the necessary information to evaluate your innovation for patent protection at the earliest opportunity.  Check with your Licensing Manger to learn whether a provisional patent has been filed before making a public disclosure.

Research & Surveys

What is the IMPACT Report? Expand

IMPACT Reports are a summary profile of outputs associated with a given NIDILRR grant. Information includes: outputs produced (publications, patents, websites, products, etc.), monies received, number of grants.

Reports are generated using publicly available information. Primary Investigators are welcome to submit their APR or CV to update the report.

What is the IMPACT Report survey? Expand
The IMPACT report survey is used to track outputs from NIDILRR grants and allows the IMPACT Center in continuing in its mission to collect data about the tech transfer successes of NIDILRR funded projects.

IMPACT Report surveys go out to current and former NIDILRR grantees annually to allow them to update their NIDILRR grant outputs.

What is the Barriers & Facilitators survey? Expand

The Barriers and Facilitators Survey helps the IMPACT Center and NIDILRR understand what helps or hinders technologies from successfully getting to market, translated or to its intended users from NIDILRR research.

How often are surveys sent out to NIDILRR grantees? Expand

Surveys are sent out annually.

Media

What is the ImpacTech Podcast? Expand

The IMPACT Center's podcast, ImpacTech, is hosted by our very own Dr. Mary Goldberg. Join us as we delve into the stories of assistive technology researchers and entrepreneurs. What does it take to get an assistive technology to market? What is happening across the country and around the world? Listen to their journeys and hear about some really neat technologies helping to improve people's daily lives.

https://impactech.simplecast.com/ 

How can I be featured on your podcast? Expand

Send us a message here!

How can I be featured in your newsletter? Expand

You can be featured in our newsletter by filling out the appropriate form HERE!

How can I be featured on your website? Expand

You can be featured on our website by filling out the appropriate form HERE!

Technical Assistance

Does the IMPACT Center review potential grant submissions? Expand

Yes we do. We review potential NIDILRR grant submissions. Have questions on an SBIR or other grant submission, need tips, a consultation or a review by the IMPACT team? Contact us by submitting a "Request Help" form. 

What does the IMPACT center advise on? Expand

Support for Technology Transfer Plans, and Potential Market Data to increase visibility of technology for licensing to support technology transfer and increase collaboration.


Small Business Help Desk - Looking for guidance, inspiration or information on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program? Look no further. Click here.


SBIR Proposal Review or Assistance - Request Help


Newsletter - Find out what is happening in AT & Rehabilitation Tech Transfer. Sign up here.

What is the Small Business Help Desk? Expand

Looking for guidance, inspiration or information on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program or technology transfer information? Look no further. Click here.

Have more questions not found here?

Get in touch with us to find out more.

Contact Us

Our Partners

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About IMPACT

IMPACT initiatives are being developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPKT0002). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). IMPACT initiatives do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Contact Us!

6425 Penn Avenue, Suite 401
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
T: (412) 383-3436
info@idea2impact.org

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