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The Research Institution GAP Fund and Accelerator Program Summit

University of Michigan’s $10M funding program aims to encourage big, darling ideas

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October 23-25, 2024 / Atlanta, GA

The annual summit for research institution gap fund and accelerator programs, including proof of concept programs, startup accelerators, and university venture funds

The Story

The University of Michigan College of Engineering is kicking off a $10 million funding program that’s designed to encourage the pursuit of big, daring ideas.

The Ann Arbor school says Thursday the projects include artificial photosynthesis in making a sustainable vehicle fuel; a new approach to making “nanobiotics” to fight drug-resistant bacteria; new ways to take carbon dioxide out of the air; and designs for urban water systems.

The program is called the Blue Sky Initiative. Each team can receive up to $2.5 million over three years.

The initiative is part of the College of Engineering’s new internal research funding approach that’s based on a startup investment model. It’s designed to give researchers a chance to try big ideas and pursue support from partners such as federal agencies or corporations.

Source: University of Michigan’s $10M funding program aims to…