Center for Translational Research
Secure non-dilutive funding to translate your invention into real-world impact
The Center for Translational Research (CTR) is a campus-wide resource for both existing and aspiring university-originated startups seeking non-dilutive funding—including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards—to translate their university inventions into a startup company. It provides support to university faculty, researchersÌýand staff as well as non-university employees of startups utilizing university technology.Ìý
The center advises teams on best practices for seeking non-dilutive capital for their startup companies, provides market research and industry analysisÌýand offers proposal editing and critique. The centerÌýaims to secure funding forÌýthe translation of university technologies,Ìýthereby bolstering the impact of the inventions made on our campus.
Translational Funding Week
Unlock Funding to Move Your Research or Venture Forward
Oct. 27-30 | Daily Lunchtime Sessions Noon–2 p.m. MT | All Sessions Available Virtually and Day 1 Available In Person
Are you a university researcher, inventor or deep tech founder exploring ways to translate your innovation into real-world impact? Join us forÌýTranslational Funding Week—a series of engaging lunchtime sessions designed to demystify the landscape of non-dilutive funding opportunities that support the journey from lab to market. These sessions are tailored to faculty, postdocs, PhD students and startup teams who want to learn how to secure early-stage funding to commercialize research, build ventures and scale innovation.
Topics
- Navigating SBIR/STTR grants across federal agencies (NSF, NIH, DoD, DOE, and more)
- Colorado’s OEDIT Advanced Industries Grant Program
- Opportunities through the CO-WY ASCEND Engine and other regional resources
- How to align your innovation with funder priorities
- Tips from successful applicants and agency insiders
Whether you're applying for the first time or looking to sharpen your funding strategy, Translational Funding Week will connect you with insights, tools and experts to accelerate your path forward.
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Center Services
- Locating appropriate grant mechanisms for given technology and principal investigator
- Advising on team formation, company formationÌýand proposal topic strategy
- Coordinating proposal preparation schedule, materials, preliminary workÌýand market research
- Coaching research teams in customer discovery and value proposition generation
- Researching market sectors and differentiating factors of inventions
- Detailing overarching industry trends and forces
- Providing market research and industry analysis
- Aligning the draft proposal with solicitation requirements
- Copyediting the draftÌýproposal for grammatical suggestions and edits
- Advising on proposal structure and arguments
Process for Center Services
To request support from CTR please contact us at vpcontact@colorado.edu.
A meeting is conducted between key research personnel and the center's Managing Director.ÌýThe scope of support and types of services required are detailed and scheduled based on the proposal and deadlines.
The research personnel are connected with services through the center.ÌýIterative consultations and research activities take place by both the research personnel and the center.ÌýÌý
An SBIR/STTR proposal is crafted and submitted to a federal agency.
The research team agrees to respond to theÌýcenter's followupÌýsurvey detailing the experience and services provided.
Eligibility for Center Services
The center's mission is to translate 91É«°ÉÌýinnovations to the market through non-dilutive funding, includingÌýSBIR/STTR federal solicitations.ÌýThis effort inherently involvesÌýboth public (91É«°É) and private (startup companies) entities.
- The technology being translated to the private entity must be rooted in intellectual property, which was filed byÌýVenture Partners at 91É«°É.
- ORÌýthe SBIR/STTR award must have a sub-award contract with the university to perform substantial research activity on the 91É«°É campus.
- All research personnel must have a currentÌýDisclosure of External Professional Activities (DEPA)Ìýon file with theÌýOffice of Conflicts of Interest and Commitment.Ìý
- All inventions must be disclosed toÌýVenture PartnersÌýat the time of the proposal submission.ÌýThen, a license is required in order to act upon the award if/when received.