Research Park Corp. launches $250K grant fund to complement LSU LIFT2

The Research Park Corp.’s board of directors today approved dedicating $250,000 to launch the LSU Re-LIFT2 grant program in partnership with the LSU Research and Technology Foundation. Much like LSU’s LIFT2 (Leveraging Innovation for Technology Transfer) fund, the new competitive grant program funds research projects across the LSU System to help faculty members bring their ideas and products to the marketplace. The Re-LIFT2 funds will be available to those who do not received funding through the LIFT2 fund. In July, LSU announced the first 15 grant awards totaling $500,000 to faculty members through the LIFT2 grant program. Those grants are for up to $50,000. The Re-LIFT grant fund will provide up to $5,000 per awardee. It will be a two-year program. The $250,000 dedication in funding by the RPC will support at least 30 projects that were not selected to receive a LIFT2 award. “Re-LIFT2 will assist LSU in advancing its early-stage technologies,” says Arthur R. Cooper, CEO of the LSU Research and Technology Foundation, in a prepared statement. “These grant funds can provide competitive analyses, marketing studies or help strengthen other areas that will improve LSU technologies. Re-LIFT2 can provide the stepping-stones toward successful commercialization.” The RPC is a tax-funded, nonprofit organization that was formed in 1992 by the Louisiana Legislature to promote and develop high technology industries and research in the state. It operates the Louisiana Technology Park on Florida Boulevard. —Steve Sanoski