A gap — some say a chasm — lies between many a research discovery and its application in the real world.

The Proof of Concept grant program, launched by the UC Office of the President, will help move critical research out of the lab and into the market. Some of the projects that will benefit from grants include an instrument to quickly detect traumatic brain injury, a vaccine to save unborn calves from a deadly bacteria and a technology to clean up grimy water.

UC is among universities across the country that are working to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization of research results leading to economic growth. Today (Sept. 16), UC and dozens of other institutions are announcing programs like Proof of Concept that are helping to push research to market. The announcements coincide with a ceremony at Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Va., during which President Barack Obama signed the Leahy-Smith American Invents Act (H.R. 1249) into law. The new law makes important reforms to the nation's patent system designed to encourage and innovation and economic growth.

Read more about UC projects on the UC Research site.