Innovation & Research for Industry Success (IRIS)
The IRIS Grant funds collaborative R&D projects between Tennessee companies and research institutions to advance technology and solve industry challenges through innovative, experimental research.
Funder: Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted continuously)
Funding Amounts: Funding based on project scope and joint budget; only research partner costs are eligible for reimbursement; no specified minimum/maximum.
Summary: Supports collaborative R&D projects between Tennessee companies and research institutions to drive innovation, technology development, and industry growth.
Key Information: Not for early-stage startups or projects dependent solely on state funding; companies must co-invest and be established in Tennessee.
Description
The Innovation & Research for Industry Success (IRIS) Grant Program stimulates new industry-led research and development partnerships between Tennessee-based companies and the state’s leading research institutions. The program’s primary goal is to foster innovative technology development, advance technical knowledge, and solve industry-specific challenges that drive business growth in Tennessee. IRIS is designed for established companies interested in piloting new technologies or discoveries, with state support serving as a strategic incentive rather than the sole funding source. Projects must be investigative or experimental in nature and demonstrate clear collaboration between a company and a research institution.
