MTRAC Life Sciences — Kickstart Early-Stage Award
Supports early life science teams at Michigan institutions by guiding proof of concept work toward development.
The MTRAC Life Sciences Kickstart Early-Stage Award is part of Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC), a statewide program co-managed by University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships and U-M Medical School's Fast Forward Medical Innovation office. The program's operating budget of approximately $2 million is funded 50/50 by the Michigan Strategic Fund (via the Michigan Economic Development Corporation) and participating Michigan institutions. Since 2017, MTRAC Life Sciences has awarded more than $16.7 million to 91-plus projects, contributing to the formation of 33 startups and more than $233 million in follow-on funding raised by portfolio teams.
Kickstart awards provide up to $42,500 per project for early-stage translational work with commercial potential. Eligible use cases include in-vivo testing, prototype development, beta testing, and drug-candidate pre-clinical activities. A pre-submission application is required before the full proposal. Applications are reviewed semi-annually, with historical deadlines typically falling around May 1 and November 1; the most recent RFP opened December 1, 2025. Cost share from the investigator or institution is required. Eligibility extends to investigators at any Michigan institution of higher education, non-profit research center, or hospital system — not limited to U-M.
The submission portal is mitrac.infoready4.com. Commercialization Program Director Meghan Cuddihy (mcuddihy@umich.edu) oversees the program; Biomedical Innovation Specialist John Dishinger (johndish@umich.edu) manages Kickstart applicants directly. Competitive applications demonstrate a credible commercial pathway and sufficient preliminary data to justify the proposed translational milestone. The program's oversight committee includes venture investors from Arboretum Ventures, Osage University Partners, Sante Ventures, and other life-sciences-focused funds.
Early-stage life sciences translational work with commercial potential at Michigan research institutions, including in-vivo testing, prototype development, beta testing, and drug-candidate pre-clinical activities.
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