RALEIGH — NCInnovation, the nonprofit focused on speeding up commercialization of research and development of university projects in the state, recently announced $5.2 million in funding for eight research projects at seven North Carolina public universities in its first round of pilot program grants.
NCInnovation (NCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that received $500 million in nonrecurring funds over the next two years as part of the 2022-23 budget. Of that funding, NCI can use $140 million of the endowment as investment income over the next two fiscal years.
NCI said the eight projects selected have “achieved proof-of-concept, show commercial promise, and have the potential to drive job creation and economic growth across the state.”
At least six UNC System chancellors have issued formal statements in support of the grants.
Twenty-eight projects were initially received from 10 state university leaders. That number was reduced to 19 after initial reviews and the additional review processes filtered the project list down to the eight approved.
The projects greenlit for grants include: lithium refining (UNC Greensboro); melanoma treatment (East Carolina University); drinking water purification (UNC Charlotte); power grid efficiency (UNC Charlotte); multiyear vaccine development (UNC Wilmington); mosquito disease tracking (Western Carolina University); beehive monitoring (Appalachian State University); and neuro drug delivery (N.C. A&T State University).
Full story: University R&D accelerator group issues grants for 8 projects | The North State Journal
