Northwest Aerospace News June | July Issue No. 3 | Page 31

Not all of the research results in projects moving forward, but “a lot of times, the academics leverage the information and data that come from these projects and then go apply for DARPA (U.S. Department of Defense) money or NSF (National Science Foundation) money.” Jesse M. Spokane Member-owner For Echodyne, the process was so positive that the company decided to apply for another JCATI grant, this time teaming up with a Washington State University researcher on a proj- ect to look at ways to sort all the data streaming in through their metama- terial radars. They were waiting on a funding decision as this edition went to press. “JCATI’s just a really nice mecha- nism,” said Finan. “It’s a streamlined process, fairly straight-forward and simple. Low bureaucracy.” The poster session gives both students and industry a chance to learn about JCATI funded projects. As a result of the project, Finan says Echodyne is making long-term plans to further develop the concept after it brings its initial products to market. JCATI will announce its current grant recipients in mid-to-late June, and will take applications next March for next year’s grants, Hacker said. In the meantime, she said, aerospace suppliers should think about putting proposals together: “If you have something that your company has been wanting to test or try, this might be a way to do that.” That’s how JCATI is supposed to work, Hacker said. Boeing has won a number of JCATI grants, and so have bigger suppliers like Zodiac and Esterline. But the ma- jority are smaller companies that don’t have the capacity to do much R&D, she said. “The goal is that the industry walks away with something that helps them, and the academics can act on the rela- tionship as they see fit,” she explained. 236 Aerospace and Engineering Research Building Box 352250 Seattle, WA 98195-2250 BECU OWN IT. In 1935, 18 Boeing employees started a credit union believing banking on each other beat banking at a bank. 82 years later, our member-owners still enjoy better rates and fewer fees. Live or work in Washington or North Idaho? You’re eligible. Join us. Federally insured by NCUA Phone: 206.685.8063 Fax: 206.543.4719 www.jcati.org Find us downtown, in the Valley, and at our new location in North Spokane. JUNE | JULY 2018 ISSUE NO. 3 31