RFP 26-6181 (2026 CAT) Project Summary Template.doc

This is a Project Summary Template document issued by Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology & Innovation for the Centers for Advanced Technology (CAT) Program 2026 Request for Proposals (RFP 26-6181). The template is designed for applicants and lead institutions, including consortiums, to document committed projects for submission as part of their proposal response. Applicants must complete the template with information including the CAT name, technology focus, project title, participating company names and locations, project contact persons, and principal investigators. The template requires documentation of project financial support, project purpose in layman's terms, the CAT's specific role and anticipated deliverables, and project duration with beginning and ending dates. Applicants must also provide projected economic impacts for New York State companies and attach a letter of attestation from industrial partners demonstrating commitment to the project. Proposals may include up to ten completed Project Summary Templates as committed projects in Appendix 3.

The CAT program is designed to spur technology-based applied research and economic growth in New York by encouraging collaboration between academic institutions and industry, promoting workforce development, and leveraging state funds with federal, industry, foundation, and not-for-profit investments. Designees must use Empire State Development funds to enhance resources in specific technology focus areas to help New York State companies remain competitive and address production, applied research, and technical challenges. Each CAT must establish an Industrial Advisory Board with representatives from companies operating within the proposed technology focus. The opportunity includes minority and women business enterprise (MWBE) contracting goals of thirty percent and is reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs) with a six percent goal.