Frequently Asked Questions About Translational Funding

Translational funding bridges the gap between academic research and real-world application. It provides early-stage financial support to help researchers move promising innovations from the lab to the marketplace.

MSU faculty with unlicensed intellectual property and a validated proof-of-concept are eligible. Projects must align with the goals of derisking and commercialization.

Projects focused on developing and derisking technologies, prototypes, or clinical candidates are eligible for funding. The funding is not intended for basic research, staff support, publications, or training.

• An up-to-date invention disclosure
• A clear customer or market hypothesis
• Milestone-based technical and market derisking plans
• Active engagement with your Technology Manager

Each technology is eligible for one award per Stage 1 or Stage 2 grant type.

Initial proposal reviews are completed within 30 to 45 days. Approved projects should begin within 30–60 days, with no delays for staffing.

Yes. Awardees must provide:

• Quarterly project updates to the TF team
• A final report at project completion
• Semi-annual updates on translational metrics

MSU offers several programs, including:

• Advance Grant Program
• Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC)
• Tech-Dev (TD)

Each program has unique scopes, funding levels, and eligibility criteria. Click on each program link for specific details on eligibility.

Yes. It is strongly recommended that proposals be reviewed by the Translational Funding Initiative (TFI) team before submission. Your Technology Manager is also a key resource throughout the process.

Visit the Translational Funding Initiatives contact page or reach out to your assigned Technology Manager for guidance.