MTRAC Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub
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RFP will open November 1, 2023 – February 29, 2024
The Michigan Translation Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) for Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub is a statewide program supporting translational research projects with high commercialization potential, with the ultimate goal of launching new technologies into the mobility and transportation sectors. Innovators from all public schools of higher education in the state of Michigan, and non-profit research centers are eligible to submit proposals for grant funding consideration.
The program offers early-state funding opportunities through the MTRAC Advanced Transportation annual grant program. Since the inception of the program, over 65 project teams have gone on to form 27 startup companies and achieve over $96 Million in follow on funding (equity and grant). Four key areas of support are provided through the one-year program for awardees:
- Advance early-stage translational research transportation/mobility technology development milestones for commercialization
- Advance market adoption readiness to meet industry/market needs
- De-risk technology development path
- Provide high-touch support for University researchers and their teams
MTRAC Advanced Transportation is industry agnostic and can apply to mobility and transportation technologies across air, sea, land, infrastructure and space. Funded projects must be related to and have an initial commercial application in transportation and/or mobility.
Awarded funded technologies have included but are not limited to: Electrification, Battery Technology, Charging Technology, Connectivity solutions, Sustainability, Infrastructure Tech, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Manufacturing Solutions, Robotics, And Supply Chain technologies.
The program offers an initial supported proposal development process, pitch preparation, and market research. Awarded projects go on to receive a one-year grant funded and resource supported commercialization program with connections to industry partners, coaching from the MTRAC Team including mentors, licensing team members, an Industry and VC Advisory Board as well as many other helpful commercialization resources and connections.
The MTRAC Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub is part of Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan. It has a 2023 operating budget of $1.5M with half of the funds coming from the State of Michigan’s Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) and the remainder coming from participating institutions. The program reinforces the commitment of the MSF, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and U-M to entrepreneurship as a dynamic catalyst for economic growth, allowing for greater collaboration and ultimately increasing the number of start-ups, jobs, industry licenses, and investment for Michigan.
For more information contact:
Denise Graves
Commercialization Program Director, MTRAC Transportation
Phone: 734-936-5304
Email: dmgraves@umich.edu
Oversight Commitee
The oversight committee consists of industry and investment experts who will provide consultation and mentoring to awarded teams.
Stefon Crawford
GM Ventures
John Davis
Ford Motor Company
Jay Ellis
Rivian
Paul Fanson, Ph.D.
Toyota Motor Corporation
Don Manfredi
University of Michigan
Bradford Orr
University of Michigan
Clay Phillips
MI-SBDC
Bryce Pilz
University of Michigan
Lee Rawlings
Invest Detroit
Chris Stallman
Fontinalis Partners
Manny Stockman
Osage University Partners