University Early Stage Proof of Concept Fund – ADVANCE is sponsored by Michigan State University (administered). This fund provides matching funds to faculty with early-stage technologies at Michigan universities to engage with their university's Technology Transfer Office and commercialization activities, aiming to de-risk technologies and create fundable startup opportunities.

Advance Innovation Hub Proof-of-Concept Fund - MSU Innovation Center Home » Tech Transfer & Commercialization » Translational Funding Initiatives » Advance Innovation Hub Proof-of-Concept Fund Advance Innovation Hub Proof-of-Concept Fund The MSU Innovation Center proudly manages the University Early-Stage Proof-of-Concept Fund, also known as the Advance Innovation Hub , on behalf of all Michigan public universities.

This program is sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The fund is strategically aligned with other state programs, as well as angel and venture capital networks, to create a pipeline of de-risked technologies and fundable startup opportunities.

Like the MTRAC program, the Advance Innovation Hub provides strong incentives for faculty at Michigan’s public universities to collaborate with their Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and engage in commercialization efforts. Awardees benefit by reaching key early-stage milestones, such as proof of concept or market validation, that pave the way for future commercialization.

Data has shown that successful university TTOs must now actively advance portfolio technologies instead of merely screening, protecting, and marketing technologies. There is currently a gap in the capital continuum in the State that the Advance Innovation Hub will fill.

Advance Innovation Hub funds will be used at an early stage (TRL 1-4) to determine the most actionable market application, the most viable business model, and to confirm the proof of concept for a targeted application through our customer discovery process. These funds will be matched and complemented 1:1 by university “gap” funds to further de-risk these early-stage technologies.

Funds will be used for a variety of opportunity development tasks, including market studies, consulting services, customer discovery efforts, and detailed IP analysis and prototype development. Successful projects will advance or “move the needle” toward a commercial opportunity by achieving early commercial or business milestones, such as proof of concept or market or business model validation.

Achieving these early milestones, which can often be challenging to attract funding for through alternative sources, will make them more attractive for licensing and enhance the selection process for projects eligible for translational programs like MTRAC or Coulter.

Innovations in Life Science and healthcare, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and medical devices Advanced Automotive Manufacturing Biotechnology and Agricultural Processing Technology Homeland Security and Defense Technology Important Note for Spring/Summer 2026 Advance Hub proposals For the current funding cycle (2026), the Hub will operate under an RFP-based submission and review process rather than a rolling process.

In addition, the maximum allowable budget will be temporarily capped at $25,000 to accommodate a backlog of proposals. Research teams and technology managers are encouraged to minimize budget requests and maximize project efficiency – as this will be an important new review criteria.

To address these concerns, it is best to develop your proposal around a “minimal viable project” – consisting of a couple key technical or customer de-risking milestones needed to evaluate the suitability of the technology for an intended application. For this period, these limitations and changes will replace any alternative instructions provided in the standard Advance Innovation Hub proposal development instructions.

Technology managers and researchers are encouraged to reach out to program management team regarding any questions prior to proposal submission. For Spring/Summer 2026 Only: The Advance Innovation Hub will begin receiving proposals on April 15, 2026 with the submission remaining open until Wednesday, April 29, 5:00 PM . The Advance Innovation Hub program is run as a semi-rolling funding program.

Proposals may be submitted at any time by the university Technology Transfer Office (TTO) or, if there isn’t a TTO, by the university research office at universities throughout the State. Approximately every two months, the proposals submitted will be reviewed by the Project Evaluation Committee. Applicants must be from institutions of higher education in the State of Michigan.

The relevant technology must have an invention disclosure filed and an identified commercial application. Grant applications may be submitted at any time. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Typical applications for these funds include prototyping, customer discovery, market research, animal studies, and detailed IP analysis, among others. Project funding requests are encouraged for up to $55,000 (effective for proposals received after March 1, 2025), of which $27,500 is supplied by the Program and $27,500 is matched by the university.

Grant dollars supplied by the program must be matched dollar for dollar by the university. Projects involving optioned or licensed technologies are ineligible for funding. Funding will be provided through a subagreement from MSU (Non-MSU awards).

The subagreement will be issued within ten days of the university receiving an Advance Award letter. The subagreement must be signed within one month of receiving the draft subagreement; otherwise, there is a potential for the award to be rescinded. One no-cost extension of up to three months per project will be considered for extenuating circumstances.

Project proposals will be judged and scored on the following criteria: Fitness against the objectives of the Advance Innovation Hub ; Technical and Commercial feasibility of the proposed scope of work; and Ability of the proposed scope of work to meaningfully advance or determine the feasibility of the university invention toward a commercial outcome as measured by a license or startup formation. Applications have a rolling deadline.

Please download the documents listed below: Step 1: Complete the Advance Innovation Hub Proposal (Word) Step 2: Complete the Advance Innovation Hub Budget and Signature Form (MSU) (Excel) and Advance Budget Justification (MSU) (Word) Step 3: Submit all Advance Innovation Hub proposal documents as one PDF to msugran2@msu.

edu Step 1: Complete the Advance Innovation Hub Proposal (Word) Step 2: Complete the Advance Innovation Hub Budget and Signature Form (non-MSU) (Excel) and Advance Budget Justification (Word) Step 3: Complete the MSU Office of Sponsored Programs’ Simplified Commitment Form Step 4: Review the MSU Advance Innovation Hub Draft Subagreement Step 5: Submit all Advance Innovation Hub proposal documents as one PDF to msugran2@msu. edu .

Submit the Commitment Form as a separate PDF. For more information, please email the Advance Innovation Hub at msugran2@msu. edu for all new grant applications with a starting date of August 1, 2021, or after.

Advance Grant II Awardees (April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2026) Dr. Subir Biswas, Michigan State University, “AI‐based Remote UroVibroMetry for Automated Collection and Analysis of Urination Episodes” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Mai T Lam, Western Michigan University, “A Tissue Engineered Benchtop Model of Atherosclerosis” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Maxwell Raithel, University of Michigan, “Novel Device Facilitating Single-Handed Vessel Cannulation Under Continuous Ultrasound Guidance” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Steven M Carr, Western Michigan University, “Using Integrity Controls to Prevent Ransomware” ($9,950 MEDC, $9,950 Match) Dr. Steven M.

Durbin, Western Michigan University, “Helios: Solar Weather Analysis Beyond Machine Learning” ($12,000 MEDC, $12,000 Match) Dr. Samson, Perry, University of Michigan, “Personalized Study Guides for College Students” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Swain, Greg, Michigan State University,” Diagnostic Technology for Monitoring Exhaled Breath Condensate Applied to Bovine Respiratory Disease Monitoring and Management ” ( $20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Meyer, Richard, Western Michigan University, “Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence for Power Wheelchair Training and Support” ($19,954 MEDC, $19,954 Match) Dr. Baker, Wayne, University of Michigan, ”Virtual Reality 3D Visualization Software for Temporal Networks” ($18,000 MEDC, $18,000 Match) Dr. Lee, Kin Sing Steven, Michigan State University, “Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI)” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Colin Greineder, University of Michigan, “Bone-targeted, acid-activated protease inhibitors – a platform technology for osteoporosis and osteolytic disorders” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Federica Brandizzi, Michigan State University, “Improvement of crop nutritional value and growth through enhancement of essential amino acid levels” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Robert Abramovitch, Michigan State University, “MmpL3 inhibitors to treat Mycobacterial infections (TB and NTM infections)” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Scott Miers, Michigan Tech University, “Gen2 Mini-PEMS Prototype Development” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Awarded September 20, 2022 Dr. Pingsha Dong, University of Michigan, “A User Element Technique for Enabling High-Fidelity CAE Durability Evaluation of Spot-Welded Structures” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Muhammad Rabnawaz, Michigan State University, “Development of repulpable paper derived from plant oils” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Kevin Maki, University of Michigan, “Watts 3D Wind Sensor” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Singh, Nirala, University of Michigan, “Ammonia Production From Waste Nitrate Using Electrocatalytic Reduction”-( $20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Rabnawaz, Muhammad, Michigan State University, “Creating Bottle-Grade PET Feedstocks from recycled Mixed PET and PETG Bales” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Liby, Karen, Michigan State University, “Advancement of MSU-42011 for Treatment of CTCL and NF-1”($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Dr. Werner, R.

Marshall, Grand Valley State University, “Engineering refinements for Auto-injector for snakebite envenomation” ($18,900 MEDC, $18,900 Match) Dr. Lee, Yunju, Grand Valley State University, “Development of Markerless 3D Human Motion Capture Framework for 2D Videos Using Deep Learning” ($20,000 MEDC, $20,000 Match) Advance Grant I Awardees (April 1, 2017 – March 31, 2022) Dr. Johnson Asumadu, Western Michigan University, “Magnetic Nanoparticle-based Gyroscopic Sensor” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Roland Graf, University of Michigan, “iGYM: A Peripersonal Boundary-Based Augmented Reality System for Inclusive Play and Exercise” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Pablo Gomez, Western Michigan University, “Technology for Enhanced Fault Location in Overhead and Underground Electric Power Grids” – ($19,975 MEDC; $19,978 match) Dr. Greg Allen, Michigan Technological University, “Enhanced Two-Phase Heat Exchanger for High Heat-Flux Devices: Cooling the Future of High Power Density Electronics” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Awarded February 23, 2021 Dr. Marilyn Filter, University of Michigan, “FemScope: A Vaginal Imaging and Cell Collection Device” – ($13,000 MEDC; $13,000 match) Awarded September 21, 2020 Dr. Zachery Asher, Western Michigan University – “Automotive Sensor Layout and Fusion Refinement for Improved Corner Case Performance” – ($25,000 MEDC; $25,000 match) Dr. Muhammad Rabnawaz, Michigan State University – “Commodity Polyethylene for High Performance 3D printing Applications” – ($25,000 MEDC; $25,000 match) Awarded November 30, 2020 Dr. Rodrigo Fernandez-Valdivia, Wayne State University – “Ultra-specific and Ultra-sensitive Platform for Highly-reliable and High-precision sars-CoV-2 Detection and COVID-19 Diagnostics” – ($35,000 MEDC; $17,500 match) Awarded December 15, 2020 Dr. Jun Hee Lee, University of Michigan – “NGST: Next-generation Spatial/single-cell Transcriptomics” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Awarded December 29, 2020 Dr. Tamara Bush, Michigan State University – “Uber Wheelchair: An Autonomous Wheelchair with On-demand and Self-driving Services for the Mobility Challenged” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Qi Hua Fan, Michigan State University – “Develop an Oil-Water Separation Material Based on Renewable Biochar” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Jing-Pin Jin, Wayne State University – “Methods to detect a novel diagnostic marker for acute myocardia ischemia” – ($25,000 MEDC; $25,000 match) Dr. Tamara Bush, Michigan State University – “A device for hand rehabilitation feedback and remote monitoring after surgery” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Daniel Taylor, Ferris State University – “Prototype of an adaptor to connect spectacles with cochlear implants” – ($23,284 MEDC; $23,284 match) Dr. Andrej Lenert, University of Michigan – “Development of a prototype radiation-assisted PV thermal management system” – ($25,000 MEDC; $25,000 match) Dr. Shorya Awtar, University of Michigan – “PRE-ACT: PREemptively Controlled ACTive Systems to Mitigate Motion Sickness I Autonomous Vehicles” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Joan Dunbar, Wayne State University – “Validate and Commercialize Hybrid Magnesium Cement” – ($7,000 MEDC; $7,000 match) Dr. Sonali Kurup, Ferris State University – “Small Molecule EGFR/AURK Inhibitors for Multi-resistant Lung Cancer” – ($23,609 MEDC; $23,609 match) Dr. Aljoscha Roch, Michigan State University – “Material Development for Advanced Fused Filament Fabrication” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Changyong Cao, Michigan State University – “Novel Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Powering Wireless Sensors by Harvesting Wave Energy” – ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Daniel Cooper, University of Michigan – “Squeeze Cutting: A Cutting Tool That Produces Easy to Recycle Chips” – ($25,000 MEDC; $25,000 match) Dr. Marina Tanasova, Michigan Technological University – “Next Generation Probe for Fructose-Specific Transporters”- ($11,000 MEDC; $11,000 match) Dr. Carl Boehlert, Michigan State University – “Optimizing the Thermomechanical Treatment on Patented Titanium-Chromium Alloys for Targeted Industrial Applications” – ($25,000 MEDC; $25,000 match) Awarded September 30, 2019 Dr. Federica Brandizzi, Michigan State University, – “Improvement of Crop Nutritional Value and Growth through Enhancement of Essential Amino Acid Levels” – $40,000 ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Awarded November 13, 2019 Dr. Muhammad Rabnawaz, Michigan State University, – “Dirt-Free Coatings for Solar Panels and Sensors” – $41,654 ($20,827 MEDC; $20,827 match) Dr. Nicholas A.

Kotov, University of Michigan, – “Materials and Surface Texture Sensing LIDAR Prototype for Recycling Robotics” – $40,000 ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Muhammad Rabnawaz, Michigan State University – “Food Safe Water-and-Soil-Repellent Paper Substrates for Food Packaging” – $37,812 ($18,906 MEDC; $18,905 match) Dr. Haseung Chung and Dr. Patrick Kwon, Michigan State University – “Magnetic-field Assisted Finishing (MAF) Using Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets (xGnP) for Finishing Reel to Reel Sheet Metal Project” – $40,000 ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Corey Stephenson, University of Michigan – “Development and Evaluation of Novel Fungicidal Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors” – $25,000 ($12,500 MEDC; $12,500 match) Dr. Matthew Ross, Western Michigan University – “Cash ‘n’ Career Commercialization” – $40,000 ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Andrew Tai, University of Michigan – “Interrupting Transmission of Multiple Flaviviruses Using an Engineered Viral NS1 Protein” – $70,792 ($35,396 MEDC; $35,396 match) Dr. David Douches, Michigan State University – ”Over-coming Self-incompatibility in Diploid Potatoes by CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out of HT” – $40,000 ($20,000 MEDC; $20,000 match) Dr. Timothy Scott, University of Michigan – “Multi-Wavelength Irradiation System for Ultra Rapid Additive Manufacturing” – $57,920 ($28,960 MEDC; $28,960 match) Awarded September 5, 2018 Dr. Ann Chapleau and Dr. Jennifer Harrison, Western Michigan University – “Goal Attainment Scaling: A Mobile App Solution” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Dr. Steven Cundiff, University of Michigan – “High Speed, User-friendly Optical Spectroscopy for Mixtures” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, University of Michigan – “Autonomous Electromagnetic Energy Converter” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Dr. Sherif El-Tawil, University of Michigan – “High Performance Steel Fibers for Ultra High Performance Concrete” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Dr. Timothy Grotjohn, Michigan State University – “Reducing the Production Cost of Diamond Substrates for Gemstone, Optical and Electronic Uses” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Dr. Erik Shapiro, Michigan State University – “Clinically Viable Magnetic Particles (SLIPs) for MRI-based Cell Tracking” – $60,122 ($30,061 MEDC; $30,061 match) Dr. Muralidhar Ghantasala, Western Michigan University – “Torque Sensing for Automotive Applications” – $30,000 ($15,000 MEDC; $15,000 match) Dr. John Walton, Michigan State University – “Novel Method to Make Bicyclic Peptides for Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Applications” – $76,734 ($38,367 MEDC; $38,367 match) Dr. Aloke Dutta, Wayne State University – “In Vivo Screening of Potential Neuroprotective Compounds by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technique” – $11,250 ($5,635 MEDC; $5,625 match) Dr. Zhaojian Li, Michigan State University – “Cloud-Based Driving Monitoring and Analytics” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Dr. John Patten, Western Michigan University – “Laser Augmented Diamond Drilling” – $8,000 ($4,000 MEDC; $4,000 match) Dr. Scott Wagner, Michigan Technological University – “Self-Lubricating Bearing Prototype Using Novel Friction Stir Powder Metallurgy Process” – $25,000 ($12,500 MEDC; $12,500 match) Dr. Ann Chapleau, Western Michigan University – “Goal Attainment Scaling: A Mobile App Solution” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Dr. Prem Chahal, Michigan State University – “Laser Assisted Growth of SiC Devices on Sapphire Substrates” – $56,648 ($28,324 MEDC; $28,324 match) Dr. Qi Hua Fan, Michigan State University – “Development of Scalable Linear Ion Sources for Thin Film Processing” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Dr. Mikhail Redko, Michigan State University – “Streamlined Synthesis of Sweeteners from a Novel Method to Delignify Biomass” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) Awarded, January 25, 2018 Dr. Chinedum Okwudire, The University of Michigan – “Boosting Speed and precision of Desktop 3D Printers via Software-based Vibration Compensation” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) “We have developed an entirely software-based vibration compensation technique that allows up to 2x faster printing without causing surface waviness or registration errors.

The technology enables faster, more precise and more reliable 3D printing. ” Dr. Merritt DeLano-Taylor, Grand Valley State University – “PM-Nato3, A Novel Tool to Generate Dopamine Neurons in Human Stem Cells” – $51,050 ($25,535 MEDC; $25,535 match) “PM-Nato3 is a novel polypeptide tool that promises to replace use of costly reagents and simplify the conversion of human stem cells (HSC) into dopamine (DA) neurons.

DA neurons are lost in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and affected in schizophrenia and other disorders, and therapeutics in this realm represent a growing market of 6. 7 Billion USD. ” Dr. Zhiqiang Cao, Wayne State University – “Durable Super-Hydrophilic Fouling-Resistant Marine Coating” – $15,000 ($7,500 MEDC: $7,500 match) “This technology and the resulting product will be the first generation of the marine fouling-resistant coating.

It is a combination of hydrophilic hydrogel and commercial glue, which can be easily applied to both cargo ships and leisure vessels by either professional shipyards or DIY enthusiasts. It overcomes the disadvantages of current fouling-release marine coatings and greatly improves the marine bio-fouling resistant capability.

” Dr. Daniel Kujawski, Western Michigan University – “Fatigue Property of Materials & Components Using Multi-Scale Hardness Data” – $49,892 ($24,946 MEDC; $24,946 match) “This project will improve the prediction of the fatigue properties of materials. The methodology will reduce the cost of providing designers with material properties throughout the lifecycle of manufactured parts.

The technique promises higher reliability from non-destructive testing and analysis.

” Dr. Emin Kutay, Michigan State University – “Developing Customer-Ready Software for Analysis and Design of Asphalt Pavements Constructed with Traditional and Advanced Materials” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) “This project will develop a user-ready software program to be used by civil engineers designing asphalt pavements using traditional and advanced materials under regional conditions.

” Dr. Gregory Swain, Michigan State University – “Next Generation Exhaled Breath Analyzer for Nitric Oxide and Peroxynitrite” – $44,000 ($22,000 MEDC; $22,000 match) “This project will develop prototype electrodes and related sensor apparatus for medical detection. The electrodes and sensors incorporate electrically conducing diamond to provide a detection platform.

Use of these sensors will detect trace elements in exhaled breath for diagnosis and monitoring of lung-related conditions.

” Dr. Eric Nybo, Ferris State University – “A Novel Metabolic Engineering Platform for Production of Anthracyclinones” – $61,000 ($30,500 MEDC; $30,500 match) “The invention provides for genetically engineered antinomycetes that produce novel anthracyclinone and anthracycline drug molecules useful for chemical starting materials, antibiotics, or anticancer agents.

” Dr. Massood Atashbar, Western Michigan University – “Impact Sensor and Rigid-flex Readout Electronic System” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) “This project aims to develop an impact sensor and rigid-flex readout electronics system, which helmet manufacturers can use in existing helmets to automatically record and communicate the occurrence of potentially dangerous impacts; thus reducing the chance of inaccurate judgments.

” Awarded, October 10, 2017 Dr. Andre Bachman, Michigan State University – “TIR199: A Novel Proteasome Inhibitor” – $80,000 ($40,000 MEDC; $40,000 match) “TIR-199 is a structural analog of the naturally occurring bacterial proteasome inhibitors called syrbactin. It is an excellent candidate as a new and improved proteasome inhibitor with high efficacy and high specificity.

” Dr. Pavel Ikonomov, Western Michigan University – “3D Metal Device and Process” – $69,970 ($34,985 MEDC; $34,985 match) “This technology allows customers to eliminate the additional steps and costs of machining parts on separate stations.

Machining immediately after each layer of metal is deposited enables the manufacture of 3D printed parts with complex geometries without using support structures required with existing 3D printing technologies. ”