MTRAC AgBio Starter Grants
MTRAC AgBio Starter Grants fund early-stage agricultural and industrial biotech research, supporting proof-of-concept and prototype work to prepare innovations for commercialization.
Funder: Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC)
Due Dates: September 11, 2026 (MTRAC AgBio Starter Award proposal deadline, 5:00 PM EST)
Funding Amounts: Up to $40,000 per project, for a maximum duration of 6 months.
Summary: Supports early-stage commercialization and initial testing of agricultural and industrial biotech innovations to prepare them for commercial development.
Description
The MTRAC AgBio Starter Grants, administered by the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) program at Michigan State University, are designed to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application in the agricultural and industrial biotechnology sectors. The program funds early-stage projects focused on proof-of-concept, prototype development, and foundational activities that clarify a technology’s market potential in areas such as animal and crop health, bio-based materials, biofuels, and advanced agricultural production methods. The goal is to generate data or early validation that enables researchers to pursue larger, follow-on commercialization grants and move innovations toward licensing or startup formation.
