MTRAC Innovation Hub for Advanced Transportation

At a time when we see rapid transformation in how we use transportation, the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Innovation Hub for Advanced Transportation is positioned to catalyze the continued development of transportation technology in today’s world. MTRAC is a statewide program that funds projects which commercialize university research into products or services that shape the future of transportation technology or address poorly met transportation market needs.

This 1-year program accelerates the transition of university research ideas to real-world products and applications in the transportation space by providing up to $100K in funding and access to industry mentors with all awarded projects requiring a cost share from the investigator/institution. The program reinforces the State of Michigan’s Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), the MEDC and U-M’s commitment to use entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic growth in the State and beyond.

It is open to researchers in institutions of higher education, hospital systems, as well as non-profit research centers in the State of Michigan. This hub is run by Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan and supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Funding decisions are made by an external oversight committee consisting of investors, industry personnel and innovation partners.

Focus areas include but are not limited to: mobility solutions; advanced materials; robotics and autonomy; sensors; electric vehicle drivetrain / propulsion; software / controls / data; advanced manufacturing processes.

For more information contact MTRAC Program Director Anne Partington.

2022 Grant Application Now Open!

Link to MTRAC Advanced Transportation Informational Video

Full proposal applications are accepted January through March and finalists are notified by April. Finalist teams pitch their idea to the oversight committee in June and funding goes from August 1 – July 31.

Award RFP Submission Link . . . January 10 – March 25, 2022

Award Semi-Finalists Selected . . . April 24, 2022

Semi-Finalist Pitch to Oversight Committee . . . June 5, 2022

MTRAC Awardee Notification . . . June 12, 2022

Funding Cycle . . . August 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023

Webinars . . . Coming Soon

The oversight committee consists of industry and investment experts who will provide consultation
and mentoring to awarded teams.

• MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub
• MTRAC AgBio Innovation Hub
• Innovation Hub for Advanced Applied Materials
• MTRAC Advanced Computing Technologies
• VIDEO: Is the MTRAC program right for you?