Synopsis

The Deep Technology Talent Initiative, Board policy R430, provides funding for expanded programs in deep technology. The goal of the Deep Technology Talent Initiative is to facilitate collaborations that create expanded, multidisciplinary programs or stackable credential programs in both undergraduate and graduate studies that prepare students to be workforce participants in jobs requiring deep technology skills.

Deep Technology

Technology leads to new products and innovations based on scientific discovery or meaningful engineering innovation. Deep technology may include technology that leads to new products and innovations related to one or more of the following:

● Advanced materials
● Alternative energy
● Artificial intelligence
● Augmented and virtual reality
● Autonomous vehicles
● Agricultural Technology
● Biotechnology
● Nanotechnology
● Photonics
● Quantum computing
● Robotics
● Secure computing
● Other emerging technologies

Eligibility

The primary applicant must be an institution of higher education as defined in S.B. 96 and the application must include a partnership between at least one institution of higher education and one participating private sector employer. Institution of higher education is defined by S.B. 96 as one of the following institutions:

• University of Utah
• Utah State University
• Southern Utah University
• Weber State University
• Snow College
• Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University)
• Utah Valley University
• Salt Lake Community College

Letter of Intent

Each applicant will be required to submit a letter of intent to be reviewed to allow the review committee to ensure alignment of potential proposals to the intent of the initiative prior to receiving proposals. Proposals will be accepted by invitation of the review committee only. Letters of intent are limited to one page and should include the following:

• Name of Lead Institution
• Proposal Title
• Summary of prospective proposal
• Education and Industry Partners
• Workforce demand
• Deep Technology addressed

Selection Schedule

• Submit Letter of Intent by June 13, 2023
  • Letters of intent will be accepted by the review committee who will extend invitations to
    applicants to submit proposals.
• Proposal Submission Deadline: September 1st, 2023
  • Proposals will be accepted each year on the first business day of September or as
    directed by the board.
• Proposal Review and Questions from Review Committee – September 1st – September 15th
  • All submissions will be verified; applicants should be prepared to respond to requests
    for clarification or additional information.
  • After verification, proposals will be considered by the review committee. Applicants
    should be prepared to respond to final requests for clarification or additional
    information.
• Deep Tech Advisory Council Recommendations to the Utah Board of Higher Education
  • Utah Board of Higher Education meeting scheduled for September 15th, 2023.
  • Following the completion of proposal review, the advisory committee will present their
    recommendations to the Utah Board of Higher Education.
• Award notification to awardees September 18th, 2023
  • Upon final decision by the Utah Board of Higher Education, notification of awards will
    be delivered by email to the contact listed in the application.

Submission Process

• Each institution will be required to submit a letter of intent, the review committee will extend invitations to applicants to submit their proposals.
• Letters of Intent may be sent to jimmy.mcdonough@ushe.edu.
• Institutions invited to submit will be required to provide the following documents;
  • Grant Narrative (maximum 10 pages)
  • Appendix A – Budget Spreadsheet (template provided)
  • Appendix B – Letters of Support (include all letters in one combined document)
• Each institution will complete the submission Google form where all documents can be uploaded.

Proposal Timelines

• Proposals may have a duration of 1 to 3 years.
• Please indicate the duration of the proposal in the Grant Narrative.
  Grant Narratives Will
• Be a maximum of 10 pages long.
• Be responsive to Utah’s deep technology talent needs by involving industry in the project’s design.
• Include a partnership between at least one participating employer and at least one institution of higher education.
• Address a previously unmet state need related to deep technology. Eligible programs are
  focused on the creation of future workforce involved in the development of new technology as opposed to the implementation of existing technology. Focus should be on development of graduates suitable for interdisciplinary positions within research and development with employers involved in novel deep technology.
• Address each point of the evaluation criteria.

Budget

Please use the following as a template for the proposed budget and provide a budget
narrative.

Reporting and Data Collection

At minimum, the education partner shall provide documentation of the following;

• Entities that have received funding
• Amount of funding received by entities
• Number of participants
• Number of graduates
• Number of students relevantly employed

Evaluation Criteria

• Ability of the proposal to expand the capacity to meet state or regional workforce needs related to deep technology.
• Identification of a faculty member or other individual who has the expertise and a demonstrated willingness to lead the proposed program.
• The ability to which the interdisciplinary curricular approach will produce graduates capable of working at the research and development level of an organization upon graduation.
• Quality of integration of industry professionals participating in curriculum development and instruction.
• Quality of partnerships with other higher education institutions.
• Potential for stackability in either undergraduate or graduate programs.
• Budget is included and appears to be cost effective.
• Description of reporting plan.
• Timeline for program implementation.
• Proposal incorporates internships or significant project experiences, including team-based experiences.