- When is a project ready for a POCF grant?
- What outputs are expected of POCF projects?
- Who owns the intellectual property?
- What if my project runs over time or over budget?
- Can I use a POCF grant to start a business?
- What if my intellectual property is not protected?
- Can an individual apply to the POCF?
- What is QSTP's definition of an SME?
- Do I need to be in Qatar?
- What is a Principle Investigator?
- Can a POCF project involve multiple parties?
- Can overseas parties charge for Qatar accommodation?
- Can third parties apply on behalf of the recipient?
- Can QSTP tenancy charges be claimed as project costs?
- Does the application need to name all appointments?
- Can project salaries include fringe benefits?
- How much of the project must be undertaken in Qatar?
- Are software development projects eligible?
- How are funds drawn down?
- Does the application need to cover commercial demonstration?
- How long can a POCF project last?
- If a project shows viability, can commercialisation happen overseas?
- How do I apply to the POCF?
- How will the application be evaluated?
- How long does it take to process an application?
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FAQ: Proof of Concept Fund
When is a project ready for a POCF grant?
The fund typically supports projects where: experimental research has been completed, a patent application has been filed, and the next stage is prototype development and commercial validation.
What outputs are expected of POCF projects?
The project should result in: evidence of technical viability, evidence of market potential, secure intellectual property position, and a substantiated route-to-market plan.
Who owns the intellectual property?
QSTP makes no claim over intellectual property under the POCF program. Intellectual property that is created as a result of the program passes to the grant recipient.
What if my project runs over time or over budget?
At the start of a POCF project, a timetable and budget are agreed. Grants are drawn down as milestones are reached. While a reasonable amount of variation to the plan may be accepted, QSTP reserves the right to terminate the project if significant overruns become apparent.
Can I use a POCF grant to start a business?
The POCF supports projects to demonstrate technical and commercial viability, but not to finance a business. For that purpose QSTP has established the New Enterprise Fund and Technology Venture Fund.
What if my intellectual property is not protected?
In cases where it is possible to protect the intellectual property, such protection should be sought before applying to the POCF.
Can an individual apply to the POCF?
The POCF can receive applications from universities, research institutes and existing small-to-medium companies, but not individuals.
What is QSTP's definition of an SME?
For the purposes of the POCF, a small-to-medium enterprise has: less than 250 employees worldwide, less than $50m pa turnover, a balance sheet of less than $45m, does not own 25% or more of an organisation that exceeds these thresholds, and is not 25% or more owned by an organisation that exceeds these thresholds.
The applicant does not need to be in Qatar provided:
- the POCF project is executed by a Qatar-based organisation, or
- the applicant intends to become a QSTP tenant to execute the project. In this case the applicant would also need to submit a regular application for tenancy, under which the POCF project would be one of several company activities.
At least one of the Principle Investigator(s) needs to reside in Qatar for the duration of the project.
What is a Principle Investigator?
The Principle Investigator is the person(s) who accepts primary responsibility for preparing the proposal, selecting the investigation team, carrying out the scientific investigation, and reporting the results. They have overall responsibility for the direction of a research project, grant or contract.
Can a POCF project involve multiple parties?
Yes, collaboration between multiple organisations on POCF projects is welcome. Ownership of intellectual property would need be clearly defined.
Can overseas parties charge for Qatar accommodation?
Qatar accommodation costs may not be charged to the project.
Can third parties apply on behalf of the recipient?
The application must be submitted by the organisation that is to receive the POCF grant, not by other parties on behalf of the grantee.
Third parties and consultants may be hired to help execute the project, however such subcontracting is limited to 10 percent of the grant.
Can QSTP tenancy charges be claimed as project costs?
Yes, QSTP tenancy charges may be paid out of POCF grants in relation to their use of POCF.
Does the application need to name all appointments?
The POCF application should describe all project members' positions, but it is not necessary to name individuals to all the positions. The budgeted salaries of project members are to be reasonable for the job descriptions, and QSTP may request justification of the proposed salaries.
Can project salaries include fringe benefits?
Gross salaries stated in the application budget should include any fringe benefits, eg. medical insurance, housing and travel. Personnel costs should reflect support finance for the project not fees for service.
How much of the project must be undertaken in Qatar?
The applicant must demonstrate that predominance (more than 50 percent) of the work will be carried out in Qatar.
Are software development projects eligible?
A software project must achieve a scientific or technological advance and resolve scientific or technological uncertainty on a systematic basis.
This might include developments in such areas as theoretical computer science, new operating systems, new programming languages, significant improvements to algorithms, new or enhanced query languages, object representations, software engineering methodologies and artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence might cover technical advances in such areas as machine vision, robotics, expert systems, the understanding of natural language and automatic language translation.
Source: UK Government, 2005
Twenty percent of the grant is disbursed on signing the POCF contract. Ongoing payments are then made on a quarterly basis in arrears based on expenditure evidence, periodic status reports and milestones being successfully completed
Does the application need to cover commercial demonstration?
Yes. POCF projects must demonstrate the commercial feasibility as well as the technical feasibility of an innovation. The application should describe how commercial viability will be determined and demonstrated. The project could even be used to investigate different routes to market.
How long can a POCF project last?
18 months is by default the maximum duration, although longer projects will be considered if there is a strong reason.
If a project shows viability, can commercialisation happen overseas?
If a POCF project demonstrates that the technology is viable, subsequent commercialisation must be located in Qatar for three years from the end of the project. If commercialisation happens overseas, repayment of the POCF grant would be required.
Note that intellectual property generated from a POCF project vests with the applicant.
An application form will be forwarded after discussion with QSTP's Technology Transfer Manager about the project's suitability. Please e-mail programs@qstp.org.qa
It is important to cover the issues referred to in the guidelines in the sequence stated, as the application will be judged on this basis.
How will the application be evaluated?
QSTP will review the application in terms of completeness. Preliminary technical feasibility and experience of the applicant will be evaluated by an external body of experts.
How long does it take to process an application?
From receipt of a completed application to acceptance or rejection takes around two months.