Now Accepting New Proposals!

The South Carolina Department of Commerce has made significant funding available to match private sector funding for applied research projects between South Carolina’s universities and Fraunhofer USA to promote applied research that improves the competitiveness of South Carolina companies and results in a positive economic impact within the state. Effective immediately we are accepting project proposals to collaborate with the South Carolina Fraunhofer USA Alliance. If you would like to be considered, see below for our process and application. Eligible applicants (see qualifying criteria) can apply for matching funds and must commit a cash match to be eligible.

Project Application Process

If you are interested in submitting a project for funding, we suggest reaching out to Suzanne Dickerson (sdickerson@sccompetes.org) and Marcel Schaefer (mschaefer@fraunhofer.org) prior to starting your application.

A complete Application Instruction Packet can be downloaded HERE. We urge prospective companies and universities to download and review the information packet prior to applying for funding.

Client Qualification: Commercial business presence in SC, including: Office Operations, Workforce, and/or Client/Supplier Base as well as an ability to invest 50% cash match of total project cost (in-kind contributions are welcome but do not satisfy cash match requirements).
Project Qualification: The goal of a SCFUSA project is to have a positive impact on business competitiveness, to expand in-state operations, to increase employment and use of in-state suppliers, and to up-skill our talented workforce.
Project Team & Proposal Development: Confer with the Project Team consisting of Fraunhofer and SC University researchers to reach a consensus on Project Goals & Milestones, Impact, Respective Roles, and Budget Requirements.
Application Required Documents & Submissions: All applications must include a completed University Authorization Form, Budget File, Application Narrative, and the Client portion of the Project Assessment Form. In the case of a University (PI) application, all applications must receive institutional review and approval prior to submission. Please download and complete the following:
- University Authorization Form, completed and signed by academic partner
- Budget Template, completed by either the academic partner or client/industry lead
- Application Narrative completed and signed by the client/industry lead
Project Assessment: Projects are scored by the review board and selected based on a list of criteria that show the positive impact of the project on the state’s workforce and/or innovation economy. The first two questions on the assessment are completed by the applicant as a self assessment (within the below application). Applicants are welcome to review the full project assessment document that will be used to score their project:
- Download and complete the Client Portion of the Project Assessment Form HERE
Presentation to Review Board: The project will be presented to the SCFUSA Advisory Board for evaluation and funding decision. Projects are reviewed on a rolling basis and a decision is usually made within 3 weeks of application submission.

Project Title

Primary Client (Company Name)

Primary Client Contact (Full Name)

Contact Email

Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

Completed University Authorization document (optional)

Upload completed University Authorization document (download template above application or click here)

Completed Standardized Budget Template excel document required by The Department of Commerce

Upload completed standardized budget template excel document required by The Department of Commerce (download template above application or click here)

Completed Application Narrative document

Upload the Application Narrative document (download template above application or click here)

Additional graphics, documents and files (optional)

Upload additional graphics, documents and files here

Captions/Descriptions of attached documents/files uploaded above (optional)

Project Assessment Question 1

Does the project enhance the client’s competitiveness and lead to additional job creation? If yes, how will competitiveness be improved and how many possible new jobs could result?

Project Assessment Score 1

Please provide a numerical score between 1-30.

Project Assessment Question 2

Does the project offer other positive secondary impacts? For example: Is a supply chain strengthened? Will employee skills be enhanced and justify higher wages?

Project Assessment Score 2

Please provide a numerical score between 1-15.

Project Assessment Form (optional)

Please upload the Project Assessment Form here in the Excel format. (download template above application or click here)

Please provide certification

I certify that: (1) the information submitted within the application is true, complete and accurate to the best of the principal investigator\'s (PI) knowledge; (2) any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject the PI to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties of local, state, and federal statutes; (3) the PI agrees to accept responsibility for the scientific conduct of the project and to provide the required progress reports if a grant is awarded as a result of the application.

Please provide certification

I certify that the information submitted within the application is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge and agree to take the financial and other responsibilities imposed within the Project scope and budget.

Signature of Client

Please type your name. This serves as your official signature on this application.

Faculty or Client Email (optional)