Gates Grubstake Fund
The Gates Grubstake program provides gap funding to assist faculty in advancing promising projects that may be commercially viable. The program was established in 1994 by OTTCP's founding director Larry Gilbert with a gift from former Caltech trustee Charles C. Gates Jr. The grant supports the development of technology to the prototype or proof-of-concept stage.
Grubstake applications can be submitted at any time during the year. If selected, awards are made within a few weeks of the submission. Funding levels vary depending on individual project needs, but the average award is around $50,000.
Applications are open to Caltech faculty on a rolling basis.
- A budget must be submitted with the application.
- Budget should include direct costs only, faculty effort at 10% of the total budget, and tuition remission and staff benefits as applicable. Indirect costs should not be included.
- Applicants should include a signed DAF but no MORA is necessary.
- Maximum budget is $75K/year for milestone(s) that can be completed within one year.
- Budgets should not include a subaward component as funding is intended to support innovative faculty research on campus.
Yes, the DAF is available here
Applicants should submit their proposal to Fred Farina with a copy to Case Cortese.
Please contact Fred Farina with a copy to Case Cortese.