About the MTRAC Program

MSU’s MTRAC AgBio Innovation Hub is designed to bridge the gap between successful academic research results and the point at which an innovation is sufficiently developed, scaled up, and de-risked to enable it to transition to commercial development.

The MSU MTRAC program focuses on agricultural and industrial biotechnology, biomaterials, bioprocessing, and related technologies that fall outside the domain of human medicine. This can include research in areas from animal and crop health to innovative machine learning and blockchain applications useful in agriculture and food production to novel food, fiber, and biomaterial processing. Recent examples of the areas of translational research have included funding in bio-based chemicals, biofuel synthesis, livestock health and nutrition, crop improvement, novel consumer food products, and agricultural production tools and methods.

The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization for Life Sciences Innovation Hub is a statewide program supporting translational research projects in the field of life sciences, with the ultimate goal of positively impacting human health. The program offers early-stage funding opportunities through Kickstart, and MTRAC for mid-stage commercialization projects. Funding focuses on four market segments, or “verticals”: devices, diagnostics, therapeutics and healthcare IT. Funding consideration submissions are eligible from Innovators from all schools at the University of Michigan, other institutions of higher education, non-profit research centers, and hospital systems across Michigan.

The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) for Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub is a statewide program supporting high-potential translational research projects in mobility and transportation sectors. The program aims to launch new technologies across air, sea, land, infrastructure, and space applications. Funding areas include: Electrification and battery technology, transportation infrastructure, aerospace and space, semiconductors, rail and fleet systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), manufacturing solutions, supply chain and logistics, control systems and sensors, renewable energy and sustainability, and vehicle materials. Innovators from Michigan’s public higher education institutions, hospital systems, and non-profit research centers are eligible to apply for grant funding. All funded projects must have an initial commercial application in transportation or mobility.

Michigan Technological University Advanced Materials Innovation Hub

The Michigan Technological University Advanced Materials Innovation Hub is administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Its focus is on advanced materials-based technologies being used to address unmet market needs, and has the goal of supporting translational research for commercial development. The hub will support projects through business development assistance, entrepreneurial training, and regular meetings with the Commercialization Program Director and Oversight Committee. Eligible project types to go through the program include: Novel materials or applications, equipment/processes enabling novel material applications, and technologies aligned with the Michigan Tech Oversight Committee expertise. To be eligible for funding you must have: Advanced material technology disclosed to a Michigan research institution, identified commercial application, PI commitment to business development activities, and an unlicensed technology (optioned technology eligible). Additionally, you must have a unique intellectual property, clear market potential and unmet need, as well as a well-defined path to commercialization.