Grant Writing Tutorial: The Commercialization Plan

In this program you’ll learn how to outline and draft a commercialization plan in a grant proposal.

Program Overview

Through this coaching program with expert tutor Laura Hales, participants will learn to think about the commercialization section of a grant proposal so your commercialization plan addresses the key points reviewers look for in proposals. You will learn skills that are transferrable across any grant proposal requiring a commercialization section. This program will help you understand how to put your best foot forward with your grant application, how to achieve fit with the goals of the funding organization while aligning efforts with your business goals.

Laura describes the one-on-one tutorial:

During this highly interactive coaching program, we will listen to your idea to understand the core of your invention or discovery. We’ll then want to hear about the problem you are trying to solve, and the benefits of your technology or product (i.e., scientific, educational and societal benefits). Next, we will discuss customer and competition, and will ask you to describe how you are better than what is currently in the market. You will learn the components of a production and marketing plan, and lastly we’ll discuss a financial plan. At the end of the program, participants will have all the information needed to outline the components of your commercialization plan.

We will also provide “big picture” comments on the draft. The comments will help guide early drafts and ensure that you are fully addressing each of the sections of the plan in a way that will be easily understood by the reviewer.

About the Tutor

Laura Hales, PhD, is a scientist and business professional with more than 20 years of experience in the startup biotechnology industry. She held senior scientific positions at several startups before co-founding Extend Biosciences, a clinical-stage life sciences company located in the greater Boston area. Laura’s expertise was instrumental in obtaining more than $14 million in grant funding from state, federal and corporate sources. She has seen the entire grant and contract pathway from conception, to grant writing, to winning the funding, to reporting and closeout. She has also served on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Study Sections that review and score grants and has also served as a grant reviewer for multiple other organizations, including MATTO, CTC@U. Wisconsin, and Inspiralia.

Sign up

To meet with Laura, please contact Michael Pratt at mpratt@bu.edu.