Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a nine-stage scale developed by NASA in the 1970s for the Saturn mission to assess the maturity level of a technology, product, or service. Since its inception, TRL has been adopted by an increasing number of U.S. agencies, the European Union, and is now widely used in the evaluation of research and development projects, making it a valuable tool both for applying for grants and seeking investors for innovative ventures.
Understanding Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)
The TRL scale categorizes the development stages of technology from its conceptual phase (TRL 1) through to its final application (TRL 9). Simplifying the readiness levels, they can be grouped into three main project phases:
- Basic research (Level I)
- Industrial research (Level II-VI)
- Experimental development (Level VII-IX)
Specific Levels of Technology Readiness
- TRL 1 – the lowest classification, represents the initial idea and description of fundamental principles of a new technology.
- TRL 2 marks the stage of conceptualizing the use of technology and beginning preparatory activities for its future application, such as analytical studies.
- TRL 3 involves research aimed at validating the technology concept, including laboratory tests on un-integrated components.
- TRL 4 consists of laboratory testing of the technology, potentially leading to ad hoc integrated equipment.
- TRL 5 involves testing the technology in simulated real-world conditions to verify its application in future systems or devices.
- TRL 6 covers technology tests under conditions that closely resemble the actual application, using technology models or demonstrators in laboratory settings.
- TRL 7 is the demonstration of the technology prototype in operational environments, such as in vehicles or IT operational settings.
- TRL 8 entails the technology being finalized and demonstrated in actual conditions, including trials and validations.
- TRL 9 represents the technology being fully ready for commercialization.
The Role of TRL in Securing Funding
Technology readiness levels are extensively used by national research and development centers such as the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) and the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) to assess the advancement and readiness for implementation of R&D projects. For EU-funded projects like the SMART Pathway, a minimum of TRL 2 is required to qualify for funding, with the level of technological advancement also influencing the amount of financial support provided.
Determining TRL for R&D Projects
TRLs are integral in application processes for funding, where specifying the achieved level of readiness is a prerequisite. The precise identification of the TRL is crucial for compliance with funding conditions. It not only assists in securing financial support but also in negotiating with investors or companies interested in purchasing or licensing the idea.
Benefits of Using TRL and R&D Activities
The TRL framework facilitates decision-making regarding the financing and investment in innovative projects at various stages of technological development. Utilizing TRL helps to better plan, organize, and manage ongoing work, proving beneficial not only when applying for grants but throughout the entire lifecycle of research and development projects.
Other Readiness Levels
Equally important for innovative projects are the Business Readiness Level (BRL) and the Social Readiness Level (SRL). BRL assesses whether the business model, marketing plans, and organizational capabilities are ready to support new technology, while SRL examines the extent to which society is prepared to accept a given innovation.
The correlation between TRL, BRL, and SRL is crucial:
Starting with TRL: An innovative product must achieve an appropriate level of technological readiness (e.g., TRL 6), where the prototype is already functional in a controlled environment.
Evaluating BRL: Subsequently, BRL analysis helps understand whether business structures are ready for scaling the technology, which is crucial as the product enters the commercialization phase (TRL 7-9).
Considering SRL: Social acceptance of technology can be equally critical. Products with high TRL and BRL may not achieve expected benefits if they are not accepted by society or are not adapted to its values and needs.
An integrated approach, which encompasses all three levels, increases the likelihood of success for innovative projects, enabling not just technological but also socio-economic introduction of innovations.
