The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Innovation Hub for AgBio (AgBio Hub) announces the opening of its 2025 Full Grant award cycle with proposals due on November 22, 2024.

Housed at Michigan State University, the MTRAC AgBio Hub is one of five specialized statewide commercialization programs with in-depth domain expertise in specific areas of research. Each hub is sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) together with a Michigan research university having domain depth in that hub’s technical and commercial theme(s). The AgBio Hub provides translational research funding to accelerate the commercialization of high potential AgBio and related technologies.  This funding is available through competitive grants offered to innovators at institutions of higher education, non-profit research centers, and hospital systems throughout Michigan. 

MTRAC AgBio eligible projects must relate directly to technology applications in agriculture, natural resources  or other bio-based industries (excluding human medicine). This scope includes the USDA definition of food, fuel, fiber, natural resources or anything related to these, including veterinary medicine and diagnostics.  It also explicitly includes bio-derived/bio-based materials, industrial biotechnology, and advanced (engineered) systems for monitoring, treating and/or producing plants, animals, microbial strains and genetic traits relevant to these industries.  Project budgets up to $125,000 (and 1 year of work) are allowed for MTRAC AgBio Full Awards; and most AgBio Full Grant applicants request $75,000 to $125,000 in project funding for translational research projects lasting 9-12 months.

MTRAC AgBio Full Grant Award proposals are due November 22, 2024.

Researchers interested in MTRAC funding should contact Program Director Joseph Affholter (jaffholt@msu.edu) or Program Assistant Weian Ou (ouweian@msu.edu) for more information and pre-proposal consultation. Informational group webinars available upon request.