MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub

In 2012, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved and created, with program oversight by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Program to provide grant funding to eligible applicants. Its objective was to accelerate the transfer of technologies from Michigan’s institutions of higher education to the private sector for commercialization of competitive edge technologies. This original MTRAC for Life Sciences Program was available only to University of Michigan Medical School faculty. The MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub is an expansion of this very successful initiative, a new statewide program that will be co-managed by the University of Michigan Medical School’s Fast Forward Medical Innovation Program and U-M Tech Transfer.

Innovators from all U-M schools, as well as other institutions of higher education, non-profit research centers and hospital systems across Michigan are eligible to submit projects for funding consideration to the MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub.

Leveraging the success of the original MTRAC for Life Sciences program and the portfolio of biomedical innovation programs from FFMI, establishing a statewide hub allows for greater collaboration with industry partners, institutions of higher education, nonprofit research centers and hospital systems across the state as it relates to advancing cutting-edge life sciences technologies into commercial applications. Ultimately, this will help increase the number of start-ups, jobs, industry licenses and investment for Michigan.

The MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub has been approved by the State with an operating budget of approximately $1M, with half of these funds coming from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) and the remainder coming from partner institutions. The Hub will have an annual budget approval process from the MSF.

Proposals will be accepted from investigators at any Michigan institute of higher education, non-profit research center and hospital system.

The MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub offers two funding tiers – Kickstart awards offer early-stage funding up to $42,500, and MTRAC awards offer mid-stage funding in the $100K-$250K range. The next Kickstart cycle due date will be May 1, 2021, with the RFP released in March. MTRAC awards are given once a year, with proposals for these mid-stage awards due in September.

The MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub is using Competition Space to manage the proposal submission process for both Kickstart and MTRAC awards. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of scientific -merit, potential health care impact and significance, the potential for commercialization, and the likelihood of obtaining further support. It is highly recommended to contact Michelle Larkin, MSE, Director of Commercialization Programs (michcote@umich.edu or 734-615-7886) to discuss your proposal before submission.

The MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub provides resources to support translational projects in the life sciences with high commercial potential. Funding focuses on four specific market segments, or “verticals”: medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics and healthcare IT. Kickstart early-stage awards fund preliminary studies, development activities, and milestone setting. MTRAC mid-stage awards include funding for proof-of-concept and late-stage translational studies, regulatory guidance, business plan development and mentorship from industry and investment experts.