Center ICE seeks 'blue economy' proposals

UAF’s Center for Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship (Center ICE) is soliciting proposals to advance innovations that would strengthen Alaska’s blue economy. This request for proposals is a collaboration with the UAF Alaska Blue Economy Center (ABEC). This RFP is supported by the Office of Naval Research.

The blue economy refers to the sustainable development of marine industries including but not limited to fisheries, seafood processing, mariculture, tourism, transportation and energy. These maritime industries will be a growing part of Alaska’s future economy.  UAF — including Center ICE, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and ABEC — is poised to grow as the focal point for translating research that helps drive Alaska’s economic future in the maritime industries.

Center ICE will fund proposed projects that would advance innovations with the greatest likelihood of industry adoption. As such, proposals should describe not just the innovation and its proposed development but also the anticipated industry application and likelihood of adoption. Innovations may be no more than an idea or may be as far along as nearly ready for industry deployment.  All innovations must contribute to a maritime industry. 

All questions should be directed to Professor Peter Webley at pwwebley@alaska.edu. Center ICE’s purpose is to strengthen the culture of innovation and entrepreneurialism at the University of Alaska and to grow the pipeline of innovations with commercial potential. This RFP is supported by the Office of Naval Research and is a program of the Center for Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship.