MTRAC AgBio Innovation Hub — Translational Grants
Funds translational agriculture and biology research through Michigan innovation hubs serving university and nonprofit teams.
The MTRAC AgBio Innovation Hub is a translational research grant program funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through the Michigan Strategic Fund and administered by the MSU Innovation Center. Its mission is to close the gap between successful academic research outcomes and commercial deployment by providing grant funding for applied, milestone-driven research in agricultural and industrial biotechnology. Covered technology areas include biomaterials, bioprocessing, bio-based chemicals, biofuel synthesis, livestock health, crop improvement, food products, and agricultural tools. Human medicine applications are explicitly excluded from the program scope.
Eligibility extends statewide across all Michigan institutions of higher education, qualifying hospital systems, and nonprofit research centers — the program is not limited to MSU researchers. The hub offers two sub-programs: the Starter Award, targeting early translational milestones, and full MTRAC grants supporting research at commercialization-readiness stages. Specific award amounts are set per Request for Application (RFA) cycle and are not published on the program landing page; applicants must consult the active RFA for current award ceilings. The real funder is MEDC through the Michigan Strategic Fund; MSU serves as the hub administrator and point of contact.
Applications are submitted through the MSU Innovation Center portal. Projects most likely to advance are those with a defined commercial pathway, a named industry partner or letter of intent from a potential licensee or acquirer, and a clear plan to reach a decision milestone (proof of concept, prototype, or pilot scale) within the grant period. Researchers can review current RFA specifications at innovationcenter.msu.edu and submit via the online application linked from the AgBio hub page.
Agricultural and industrial biotech, biomaterials, bioprocessing, bio-based chemicals, biofuels, livestock health, crop improvement, food products, agricultural tools. Human medicine excluded.
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