TRANSFORM Seed Grants

TRANSFORM Seed Grants is sponsored by Boise State University (NSF Accelerating Research Translation program). This program supports Boise State University faculty-led research projects, with a track for market-oriented commercialization and technology transfer. The broader program aims to expand support for translational research across the university, impacting the region and nation.

Transform - Translational Research Creating and maintaining a thriving, sustainable, and innovative translational research​​ ecosystem. TRANSFORM at Boise State University Accelerating Research Translation Boise State is honored to be one of eighteen academic institutions in the nation to be selected to participate in the National Science Foundation’s new Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program.

Led by Dr. Brian Wampler, President’s Professor of Public Scholarship and Engagement, this four-year, $6 million grant will allow Boise State’s “TRANSFORM” project to expand support for translational research across the university, impacting the region and nation. What is Translational Research?

Translational research (TR) is an umbrella term used to describe the process of moving (translating) research discoveries from universities out into the communities they serve. The NSF, through the ART program, “seeks to increase the scale and pace of advancing discoveries made while conducting academic research into tangible solutions that benefit the public.

” Seed to Seeds – A New Bioeconomy to Restore Threatened Plants Seed to Seeds – A New Bioeconomy to Restore Threatened Plants Boise State University biologists are working with federal agencies to develop innovative ways to grow… Liposome carriers for controlled drug delivery and cancer therapy Liposome carriers for controlled drug delivery and cancer therapy Building resilience strategies in rural communities Building resilience strategies in rural communities TRANSFORM Award Recipients Announced TRANSFORM Award Recipients Announced Vaccine Research for Dairy Cows Vaccine Research for Dairy Cows TRANSFORM Theory of Change Current Ecosystem Maturity Current Ecosystem Maturity Changes in Culture: Comprised of diverse expertise and with vetted decision-making processes Market-Oriented TR: Sustainable ecosystem where investors, startups and researchers are well connected; Engaged OTT Community-Engaged TR: Sustainable ecosystem-governments, NGOs, and researchers are well connected Workforce Development: Educational and training materials prepare postdocs and graduate students for non-academic jobs Expanding Networks: New partnerships, new companies, new investors Isolated Companies and Distant Governments and NGOS Limited Institutional Capacity to Support TR ART Ambassadors: Champion institutional change to weave TR into fabric of programs and policies Professional Development: Chosen to maximize impact on early career faculty, postdocs and graduate students University of Utah Mentor: Provides broad diagnostic and peer-to-peer mentoring Annual Summit: Large ecosystem meetings with government agencies, industry, researchers and investors Building Systems: Create new data, information, and administrative processes; Build-out OTT STRP Program: Faculty engage in commercialization and community-engaged TR Changes In Policy: Consolidate long-term policy changes and embed support for TR into university culture Community of Practice: Faculty, postdocs, staff, and graduate students actively involved in TR Partnerships: New partnerships identified and existing partnerships strengthened Entrepreneurial Training: Faculty, postdocs and students returning from industry, workshops and pitch events New Systems: Promotes evidence-based decision making to strengthen TR; facilitate growth of OTT Changes in Culture: Comprised of diverse expertise and with vetted decision-making processes Market-Oriented TR: Sustainable ecosystem where investors, startups and researchers are well connected; Engaged OTT Community-Engaged TR: Sustainable ecosystem-governments, NGOs, and researchers are well connected Workforce Development: Educational and training materials prepare postdocs and graduate students for non-academic jobs Expanding Networks: New partnerships, new companies, new investors Administration Building, 1910 University Drive