Apply to the 2025-2026 Claude Laval competions via Infoready. 

Established in 1984, the Claude C. Laval Jr. Award for Innovative Technology and Research honors the legacy of Mr. Claude C. Laval Jr., a long-time Fresno resident and prolific inventor. Known for holding more than 90 U.S. and foreign patents, Mr. Laval dedicated over 46 years to innovative research and technological development in a wide range of fields such as filtration, food processing, photography, toys, pollution control, oil and water well machinery, and consumer products. Despite not having formal training in engineering or science, Mr. Laval consistently challenged conventional thinking and produced practical, creative inventions through applied research and working models. Funding for this award is provided through a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Claude C. Laval III. The award continues to support the development of innovative technology and research at Fresno State, with an emphasis on fostering creativity, innovation, and the practical application of new ideas across all academic disciplines.

Eligibility
The award is open to all currently enrolled full-time undergraduate and graduate students at Fresno State, as well as to faculty members, including tenure-track, tenured, and full-time lecturers. Student applicants must be enrolled in the Fall 2026 semester and must include a faculty mentor in their application. Students must confirm the mentor’s awareness of their project and the availability of necessary resources under the mentor's guidance. All academic disciplines are eligible to apply.

Award Amount
The total award amount is $5,000.

Criteria for Evaluation
Applications will be judged based on creativity within the subject matter, innovation in the use of technology, practical application of research outcomes, and the overall merit of the proposed project.

Application Requirements

All application materials must be submitted through InfoReady no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 8, 2025. The application must not exceed seven pages in total and must include the following components:

• Background Statement
  • Provide a summary that establishes the foundation for your proposed project. This should include:
  • A review of relevant literature, and/or
  • A summary highlighting current developments in the field.
• Methods Statement
  • Describe the approach and methodology you will use to carry out the project. Be sure to include:
  • Details of research methods or processes,
  • Any special equipment, technology, or facilities required, and
  • Whether those resources are available to you during the project period.
• Expected Outcomes
  • Clearly define what you anticipate the result of your project will be, including:
  • The final product, result, or deliverable,
  • Its practical application or potential utility, and
  • The importance of the work within your academic or professional domain.
• Faculty Mentor Letter (Required for student applicants only)
  • Include a signed letter from your faculty mentor that confirms:
  • Their awareness of your intent to apply,
  • Their willingness to support your work if funded, and
  • That you will have access to any required resources under their supervision, such as lab space or specialized equipment.
• Budget
  • Provide a general outline of anticipated out-of-pocket expenses. The budget should:
  • Justify how the $5,000 award will be used,
  • Focus on future expenses only (past investments will not be reimbursed), and
  • Be limited to allowable costs, such as:
    • Student assistant support
    • Travel costs
    • Equipment purchases
    • Materials and supplies

Review Process

The Interim Research Award Review Subcommittee, in collaboration with the Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and staff from Research and Sponsored Programs, will evaluate all applications. The committee may consult with technical specialists, either within the university or externally, to ensure an informed assessment of each proposal. Applicants who feel their project requires specialized knowledge not represented within the committee are encouraged to include the names and contact information of qualified individuals who can assist in the review process. The committee reserves the right not to make an award in any given fiscal year.

Award Terms and Reporting Requirements

Award recipients must comply with all University and Auxiliary policies, including those related to patent rights, hazardous substances, radiation use, and human subjects research. These policies can be found in the Academic Policy Manual, available in the offices of colleges, schools, and departments.

Recipients will be required to submit a preliminary report documenting progress by September 2026. A formal, detailed final report of the work accomplished must be submitted by December 30, 2026, through InfoReady. In addition, awardees will present their work to a campus audience in September 2026. Recipients may also be contacted by University Communications for interviews and must agree that non-confidential project information may be published online, in print, or via other media.

Awardees must work with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and Foundation Financial Services regarding the procedures for managing award expenditures, and all expenses must follow Fresno State Foundation policies and procedures. Applicants with previously unfunded proposals are encouraged to reapply.

Contact Information
For questions or additional information, please contact Sarah Chaffins, Research Operations Analyst, Research and Sponsored Programs, at schaffins@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559-278-0856.

 

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The Claude C. Laval III Award for Commercialization of Research, Innovation and Creativity supports Fresno State students and faculty whose scholarly activities focus on the commercialization of intellectual property, innovation, and creativity. This award is designed to help bridge the gap between innovation and market readiness by supporting development efforts that increase the likelihood of attracting commercial partners or transitioning to market.

Recognizing that many inventions and discoveries require additional refinement and planning to reach commercialization, the award is intended to advance concepts, ideas, and innovations beyond the initial idea stage. The goal is to help bring viable products or services closer to implementation or commercial use. Commercialization may include engineering and design work, prototype development, market evaluation, patent exploration, staffing considerations, or even expansion of an existing business.

This award is not intended to support basic research or the early phases of idea generation. Rather, eligible applicants must already have a minimum viable product (MVP) and a preliminary market evaluation that demonstrates the uniqueness and value of the proposed innovation. A minimum viable product is defined as the simplest version of a product or service that still functions as intended, which can be improved upon with further development and user feedback.

Applications may come from individuals or teams and are open to all full-time Fresno State faculty, including tenure-track, tenured, and full-time lecturers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in the Fall 2026 semester. The award supports entrepreneurial activities such as prototype development, market testing, patent application-related expenses, and other efforts required to bring an idea or product to market.

Allowable expenses under this award include supplies, equipment, travel, attorney or patent application fees, student support, and other professional services that can be directly linked to commercialization efforts. However, Principal Investigator salaries, tuition reimbursement, and indirect costs are not allowable.

Award Amount
This award offers up to $10,000 in funding for selected projects.

Eligibility
This award is open to all full-time faculty at Fresno State, including tenure-track, tenured, and full-time lecturers, as well as to undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled in the Fall 2026 semester. Applicants may apply as individuals or as part of a team. Student applicants must have a faculty mentor or collaborator actively involved in the project. All applicants must demonstrate that their project is beyond the conceptual phase and includes a minimum viable product, along with a preliminary market evaluation that supports the project’s potential for commercialization. Only projects focused on the advancement of innovations toward market readiness will be considered. Basic research or early-stage ideation projects are not eligible for funding under this program.

Deadline for Submission
All application materials must be submitted via InfoReady by 5:00 p.m. on May 8, 2025.

Application Requirements
The application packet must include the following components:

Biographical Sketch
 A one-page biographical sketch for each key member of the project team, including students. The biosketch should demonstrate the team’s capability to successfully undertake the proposed project. Any confidential information should be marked as “Confidential.”

Proposal Body (Maximum five pages), which must include:

• Summary of Proposed Effort
  • A concise summary of the project, limited to 200 words.
• Market Opportunity
  • A clear description of the market need, societal or commercial value, and the uniqueness of the product or service.
• Technical Merit
  •  Evidence of proof-of-concept, overall feasibility, and alignment between project goals and commercialization readiness.
• Work Completed to Date
  • An overview of research, testing, or development that has already occurred.
• Scope of Work, Milestones, and Outcomes
  • A detailed plan outlining the activities to be undertaken, expected milestones, and outcomes to be achieved within the proposed budget.
• R&D Plan
  • A summary of ongoing or planned research and development work that supports the commercial potential of the innovation.
• Participation or Interest from External Parties
  • Documentation or description of any involvement from industry stakeholders, collaborators, or commercial partners.
• Budget and Justification (Maximum two pages), which must include:
  • A breakdown of how requested funds will be used, with rationale for each cost.
• Clear identification of costs that align with the goal of commercialization.
  • Allowable expenses include:
    • Supplies and materials
    • Equipment
    • Travel related to commercialization
    • Patent application or attorney fees
    • Student support
    • Professional services necessary for advancement of commercialization
  • Non-allowable expenses include:
    • Salaries for Principal Investigators
    • Tuition reimbursement
    • Indirect costs

Review Process
Applications will be evaluated by a faculty review committee in consultation with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Reviewers will assess each proposal based on several criteria, including market opportunity, technical merit, progress to date, engagement or interest from external parties, and clarity and feasibility of the proposed budget. Specifically, reviewers will be looking for evidence of market need, a compelling value proposition, uniqueness of the idea, proof-of-concept or demonstration of feasibility, and the viability of the commercialization plan.

Post-Award Requirements
All awards will be administered in accordance with Fresno State Foundation policies and procedures. Upon notice of award, recipients will work with Foundation Financial Services to manage the approved expenditures. A preliminary report documenting progress will be due by September 30, 2026, and a formal final report describing the work accomplished will be due by December 30, 2026. Reports must be submitted to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Awardees will be asked to present their project to a campus audience in September 2026 and participate in interviews with University Communications. Fresno State reserves the right to publish non-confidential information about the award and project outcomes on websites, in print, or through other media platforms.

Contact Information
For questions or guidance on the application process, please contact:

Sarah Chaffins
 Research Operations Analyst
 Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
 Email: schaffins@mail.fresnostate.edu
 Phone: 559-278-0856

PREVIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS