Frequently Asked Questions

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology is a state agency established to foster innovation in existing and developing businesses in Oklahoma. We accomplish this by supporting basic and applied research, facilitating technology transfer between research laboratories and firms and farms, providing seed capital for new innovative firms and their products, and helping Oklahoma’s small and medium-sized manufacturing firms become more competitive through increased productivity and modernization.

OCAST’s funding comes from general revenue appropriated by the legislature each year.

OCAST established a series of programs covering research, development, and commercialization. Each program is designed to provide companies, entrepreneurs, or university researchers with funding in order to accomplish its goals. The goal is to turn ideas into products, processes and services so companies can grow and in turn create jobs and other benefits for the state.

No, OCAST does not conduct research. Through a competitive peer review process, we fund research being conducted in Oklahoma in order to further our economy and benefit the citizens of Oklahoma.

Entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, inventors or companies of all sizes with technology based projects that will benefit the Oklahoma economy are eligible. Partnerships are encouraged. Private industry/university partnerships have proven to be extremely effective.

OCAST’s enabling legislation defines the duties and responsibilities of the agency and board. Governed by a board of directors with members from both the private and public sector, OCAST works in partnership with the private sector, higher education, other state agencies and non-profit organizations. OCAST-funded research projects are first peer reviewed by a majority of out-of-state science and business experts and ranked according to scientific merit and commercial potential. In this way, OCAST ensures state funds are wisely invested where they will have the most impact. OCAST is the state’s only agency whose sole focus is technology – its development, transfer and commercialization.

A grant is typically given in a lump sum to a person prior to the project expenditures. An OCAST award is a reimbursement contract that is paid out in installments to the award recipient after project costs have been incurred.

OCAST is structured on the idea of technology-based economic development (T-BED). According to SSTI (State Science and Technology Institute) over the last several years, the U.S. economy has been undergoing a dramatic transformation as the nation moves to an economy driven by technology – through the creation of new industries and the application of technology in traditional industries. Competing in a global economy, regions must have an economic base composed of firms that constantly innovate and maximize the use of technology in the workplace. Technology-based economic development is the approach used to help create a climate where that new economic base can thrive.

Technology development at the molecular range (1 nm to 100 nm) to create and use structures, devices, and systems that have novel properties because of their small size.

The nationally recognized process OCAST uses to review all research proposals before approval for funding. Out-of state experts who are highly respected in their fields are brought to Oklahoma to evaluate and rank the proposals according to their scientific merit and commercial potential. Using out-of-state scientists and researchers helps OCAST ensure the selection process is objective and merit-based.

Financing that is provided for the development, refinement and commercialization of a product, process or innovation, whether for the startup of a new firm or the expansion or the restructuring of a small firm.