Innovation to Impact

From Pitt State Ideas to Real-World Impact
A University-Wide Faculty Innovation & Impact Initiative

Have a promising research idea, technology, material, process, or invention? Bring it to NIMA. We can help you determine what comes next.

Submit an Innovation Concept

  1. 1. Idea

  2. 2. Assess

  3. 3. Prove

  4. 4. Prototype

  5. 5. Validate

  6. 6. Prove-Out

  7. 7. Impact

NIMA Support Can Enter at Any Stage

Moving Ideas Beyond Discovery

The NIMA Innovation-to-Impact Program provides a coordinated pathway for promising Pitt State ideas to move beyond research and discovery toward proof of concept, prototype development, industry engagement, Prove-Out, and real-world impact.

Our goal is to identify promising opportunities and help faculty determine the most appropriate next step—whether that means additional research, proof-of-concept development, industry collaboration, external funding, licensing, commercialization, or another pathway to impact.

From Idea to Impact

Faculty Idea → Technical Assessment → Proof of Concept → Prototype → Industry Validation → Prove-Out → Impact

How NIMA Can Help

Technical Assessment

Evaluate technical feasibility, challenges, opportunities, and the next research milestones.

Proof of Concept

Support targeted experiments to establish technical feasibility and reduce technical risk.

Advanced Facilities

Connect projects with NIMA’s advanced equipment, characterization capabilities, materials development expertise, and research infrastructure.

Industry Connections

Identify potential industry partners, end users, and opportunities for technology validation and collaboration.

Funding Pathways

Help identify external research, commercialization, industry-sponsored, and other funding opportunities.

Technology Development

Support prototype development, Prove-Out, licensing, partnerships, and other appropriate pathways toward impact.

NIMA Innovation Fund

Bridging the Gap Between Research and Opportunity
The NIMA Innovation Fund provides targeted, milestone-based support for promising early-stage ideas that have potential to advance toward the next stage of development.

Funding may support activities such as:

  • Proof-of-concept experiments
  • Prototype development
  • Materials development and testing
  • Specialized characterization
  • Industry validation
  • Demonstration activities
  • Student innovation opportunities
  • Other activities that advance a project toward a defined milestone

Funding decisions are based on the technical opportunity, potential impact, project readiness, and the specific milestone needed to advance the idea.
Ready to Explore Your Idea?

If you have a promising technology, material, process, or research idea, start the conversation with NIMA.