This programme, which we run in partnership with AUTM Foundation, equips academic life scientists, at the graduate or post-doctoral level, with the skills and knowledge to transition into careers in technology transfer through a curriculum that combines formal training with networking, mentoring and practical experience in the field.
Applications are now closed for the 2022-3 programme.
About the LifeArc-AUTM Fellows Programme
The one-year LifeArc-AUTM Fellows Programme equips academic life scientists, at the graduate or post-doctoral level, with the skills and knowledge to transition into careers in technology transfer through a curriculum that combines formal training with networking, mentoring and practical experience in the field.
The Fellowship in numbers
To date, 40 fellows from seven countries have progressed through the programme. Six were male, and 37 secured a position in technology transfer before the end of the fellowship, mostly working in tech transfer offices (TTO) at universities. More than a quarter were from underrepresented ethnic groups (as defined by the UK 2011 Census).
Past fellows have gone on to prominent technology transfer roles – find out more about their experiences on the programme via the links below:
Fellows are expected to commit to time outside of their current positions and will be sponsored to attend two major AUTM meetings. Where possible, assistance will be provided to secure an eight-week internship in a technology transfer office.
“This valuable initiative is recognised at the highest levels of Leadership within the AUTM Association, as evidenced by Anji’s interactions with Steve Susalka, CEO of AUTM, and Rich Chylla, Chairman of AUTM 2019 Board. This is a vibrant and mutually beneficial program.”
Chris Yochim, Founding Chair, AUTM Foundation
Eligibility criteria
- An academic scientist at the graduate or post-doctoral in the life sciences
- Have little (less than one year) or no direct work experience in technology transfer
- Determined in learning to apply skills in technology transfer beyond employment in academia and industry
- Aptitude for describing complex scientific information in accessible terms and ability to quickly grasp new scientific concepts
- Well-developed written and oral communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate confidently and effectively with academic staff, all levels of management and companies
- Competence in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Package of benefits for LifeArc-AUTM Fellows
- Two year’s AUTM membership, plus access to AUTM’s Technology Transfer Practice Manual and 90 +Webinars
- One year ASTP membership
- Attendance at specialised training courses delivered by experts
- Access to wide network of technology transfer professionals
- Attendance to a unique Technology Transfer Speaker Series delivered by global experts
- Guidance and support throughout the programme
- Potential to participate in a four-week internship in an academic technology transfer office in the United States or Europe, during the summer 2023.
For more information
In this webinar, past fellows from the AUTM Foundation and LifeArc-AUTM technology transfer fellowship programmes outline the value of fellows to an office or department, the benefit of such programs and provide insight into how technology transfer offices can prepare to receive a fellow graduate. You will need to be registered with AUTM, if you have not already done so, to download the webinar as a video: Technology Transfer Fellowships: Harnessing Today’s Talent
Alumni Maithili Shroff, Isabel Ramos, Eleftheria Ledaki, along with Senior Business Manager Anji Miller, wrote an article on the importance of tech transfer which appeared in AUTM Insight, V2, #27, December 30, 2020 (scroll down to view the article).
2022-2023 programme
Key dates are summarised below. Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the dates presented may be subject to change.
| August 2022 | Welcome meeting |
| September 2022 | AUTM Essential Tools course |
| 19-22 February 2023 | AUTM’s 2022 Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas |
| 2023 (date to be confirmed) | Choice of Technology Valuation or Technology Marketing Course (taken as a pre-conference course) |
| February 2023 | Negotiation course (taken within the AUTM conference) |
| May 2023 | ASTP* Conference 2023 |
| June 2023 | PraxisAuril* Conference 2023 |
*Attendance will be sponsored at one of these conferences – either ASTP Lisbon or PraxisAuril in the UK. To be confirmed.
FAQs
The rate of study is dependent on the circumstances of the fellow. However, we recommend each fellow devotes at least four hours a week to study. This will ensure the fellow completes all modules and is prepared for the training and conferences that are part of the programme.
The LifeArc-AUTM Fellowships combine formal training with networking, mentoring and practical experience in the field. Expenses for international travel are covered, but no further funding is available with this programme. Where possible, assistance will be provided in terms of networking and mentoring to secure an eight-week placement in a technology transfer office. The level of financial support during the internship/placement is at the discretion of the hosting establishment.
Your application will need to include a reference from your current or most recent employer or supervisor. You will also need to ensure you can have time off from your current position to attend two major AUTM meetings, as well as, where possible, an eight-week internship in a technology transfer office.
Most fellows secure a position in the technology transfer sector prior to the end of the programme. The possibility to gain practical experience as a LifeArc-AUTM Fellow is optional, with assistance provided in the form of mentoring, networking and support to secure an internship/placement at an appropriate technology transfer establishment. The level of financial support during the internship/placement is at the discretion of the hosting establishment.
The LifeArc-AUTM Fellowship is open to European-based applicants who can travel to the US for the designated training course and conferences that are part of the programme. Our full-time programme, the Technology Transfer Fellowship, requires all applicants to be based within daily travel distance of London.
To find out more about the LifeArc-AUTM Fellowship, please contact our Senior Business Manager, Anji Miller.