RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Nov. 1, 2006 -- Bioscience researchers in North Carolina who have promising ideas can kick-start their work with the help of a new grant program sponsored by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
Biotechnology Research Grants provide up to $75,000 to investigators at universities and non-profit institutes throughout the state. The award program, approved by the board of directors at its October meeting, is intended to help scientists generate preliminary data that can help them attract further funding from other sources with the ultimate goal of commercializing their technology.
With this new grant program, the Biotechnology Center will provide initial funding for North Carolina scientists with innovative ideas in early-stage development. "The intention is to provide resources for proof-of-concept studies, thereby allowing for researchers to be more competitive in recruiting federal research funding to North Carolina," said Dr. Ken Tindall, the Biotechnology Center's senior vice president of Science and Business Development.
Biotechnology Research Grants are available to principal investigators at any North Carolina academic or nonprofit research institution, except those at the main campuses of Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. These three universities have access to other funding sources, including other Biotechnology Center grant programs.
However, scientists at satellite campuses of these three universities, such as marine
research laboratories, agricultural research stations, and ecological research stations,
are eligible for the grants. The grants are open to tenured or tenure-track faculty, including junior faculty.
"We're looking forward to working with life-science investigators at many of the state's smaller institutions who too often are bypassed for this kind of research support," said Dr. Maria Rapoza, the Biotechnology Center's vice president of Science and Technology.
A maximum of $75,000 will be awarded, for research projects lasting up to 18 months. At least 10 percent of the grant must be matched by money from other sources. Proposals will be evaluated based upon originality, scientific merit and potential commercial significance.
The Biotechnology Center, headquartered in Research Triangle Park with five regional offices statewide, is a private, non-profit corporation supported by the North Carolina General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide.
