The Translational Research Grant (TRG) program funds research projects that explore commercial applications or initiate the early commercial development of university-held life sciences inventions. The technology must have the potential to solve a real-world problem as a commercial product in the life sciences sector.

The goals of the TRG program include:

• Advancing research discoveries toward product-focused translational research development
• Generating data that addresses important product development or regulatory milestones, addresses the concerns of potential licensees or investors, or otherwise de-risks the technology for a specific commercial application
• Enabling strategic “go/no-go” decision-making regarding further technology development or the pursuit of intellectual property protection
• Enabling technology licensing efforts by the university
• Establishing goal-oriented partnerships between university scientists, product development professionals and key stakeholders

Applicants must be researchers employed by a North Carolina-based university or nonprofit research institute. Technical projects may be conducted at awardee institutions or outsourced to contract research organizations.

Proposals will be evaluated on the composition of the project team, including a project manager, and the setting of relevant, realistic, and achievable milestones during the product development tasks.

TRG FAQs can be found here: www.ncbiotech.org/grant-faq