For university spin-outs, funding is what enables research to move from academic discovery to real-world application. Grants, innovation funds, and investors all play a role in supporting that transition. However, in addition to considering subject area, organisation, and applicants, an increasing number of funders want to understand the Technology Readiness Level, or TRL, of the spin-out theyโre supporting.
Why is knowing your TRL important?
Organisations such as the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, and the UK Space Agency all consider technological maturity when assessing proposals. They use TRL to gauge how far a project has progressed.
Your research may perfectly fit project-specific funding requirements. However, if the technology itself is not sufficiently developed to meet the programmeโs criteria, securing support can be difficult. Knowing your TRL helps you focus on funding opportunities that match the stage your work has reached, increasing the chance of approval.
Understanding TRL
Technology Readiness Levels were first developed by NASA to assess how close a technology was to being used in a real mission. The framework tracks the journey from early scientific observation through to a fully functioning system. It has since been adopted widely across research and innovation funding.
- TRL 1: Basic principles observed
- TRL 2: Concept formulated
- TRL 3: Proof of concept demonstrated
- TRL 4: Technology validated in the lab
- TRL 5: Technology validated in a relevant environment
- TRL 6: Prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment
- TRL 7: Prototype demonstrated in operational conditions
- TRL 8: System complete and qualified
- TRL 9: Technology proven in real-world use
Funding organisations use TRL because it provides a consistent way to assess progress and risk. Instead of relying on broad descriptions of development, reviewers can quickly determine a technology’s maturity and see whether it aligns with the funding programme’s goals.
Knowing your TRL helps you focus on funding opportunities that match the stage your work has reached, increasing the chance of approval.
What TRL do I need to get funding?
Thereโs no specific TRL required for funding. The appropriate stage depends on the criteria set by each funding organisation and the purpose of the funding programme.
However, funding opportunities often fall broadly into three development phases:
TRL 1โ3
Early research and concept development
This is where research is still exploring the science behind an idea, and testing whether it could work in practice. Funding often supports feasibility studies and early experimentation.
TRL 4โ6
Development and prototype testing
At this stage, the technology moves beyond theory. Working prototypes are built and tested in controlled environments, with funding often supporting further development and refinement. TRL 5 means early field testing where parts of it may still be under development, whereas if youโre at TRL 6, the full system is complete and has been tested in a realistic environment.
TRL 7โ9
Demonstration and deployment
Here, the focus is on proving that the technology works reliably in the real world. Funding at this level typically supports scaling, commercial integration, and wider, ongoing deployment.
How do I find my TRL?
Determining your TRL usually involves reviewing the evidence behind your technology and conducting a full review and audit of your systems.
If youโre not currently applying for funding, understanding your TRL still has value. It helps researchers communicate the status of their work clearly, and supports decisions about the next stage of development. For spin-outs, presenting that progress clearly matters.
You may even feel like you’re at TRL 0 (not an official TRL, but the term is used for the very early ideas before TRL 1), but now’s the time to get an understanding of what’s expected at the different levels.
Planning your marketing campaign at each of the levels means youโll be ready to engage customers. Weโre here for you if you need a partner to help you map out your marketing strategy.
