The Bioscience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program was created by the Colorado legislature to foster development of the industry in Colorado, supporting both new business development and quality jobs for Coloradans. Grants to further develop technologies coming out of Colorado's non-profit, research institutions toward commercialization were authorized in statute in 2006.

Now in fiscal year 2009-10, the program continues to support technology transfer and commercialization with grants to qualified research institutions and to early-stage companies. 

Proof Of Concept Grants

The Proof-of-Concept grants under the Bioscience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program (BDEGP) are intended to support bioscience discoveries that will likely lead to the development of new products, services, businesses and employment in the bioscience industry in Colorado. Grants up to $150,000 will be accessible to Offices of Technology Transfer (OTT) affiliated with qualified Research Institutions in order to enhance the commercial potential of bioscience research projects that focus on life sciences, engineering, material sciences computer sciences, photonics, or nanotechnology.

Over the three years of the program, 60 POC projects at 6 Colorado Research Institutions have been awarded over $3.8 million.

Applications for the First Grant Cycle are due

* October 15th, 2009 from Bonfils Blood Center, Colorado School of Mines, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado and Other Eligible Applicants.

** November 15th, 2009 is the due date for Research Institions with a pre-allocation of funds - Colorado Institute for Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, National Jewish Health, and the University of Colorado.

Bioscience Company Grants

The Early-Stage Bioscience Company grants under the Bioscience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program are intended to spur economic development and help new companies born out of Colorado research institutions to succeed in developing new technologies, business structures, and product development. Grants up to $250,000 will be accessible to qualified Early-Stage Companies whose technology is licensed from a qualified Research Institution. Grants will support the commercialization of therapeutic or diagnostic products, devices, or instruments to improve human health; bioscience technologies that improve agriculture; or biofuels.

To-date, the grant program has awarded over $2.3 million to businesses via this program and its predecessor, the SBIR/STTR grant program.

Applications for the First Grant Cycle are due August 31st, 2009.

Industry/Research Institution Infrastructure Development Grants

Funds were made available in fiscal year 2008-09 to support partnership efforts between the bioscience industry and research institutions to build infrastructure that supports the commercialization of bioscience technologies in Colorado.

All funds have been committed to 4 projects with funding renewed annually through fiscal year 2012-13.

Additional Application Forms

The following forms may need to be completed by applicants for the bioscience Early-Stage Company and Proof of Concept grants.

 The Grant Agreement which all awardees will be required to sign before funding is released is also included here. Grantees must accept and abide by these provisions.

For further information, please contact:
Sonya Guram , Manager, Bioscience Grants
Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
1625 Broadway, Suite 2700
Denver, Colorado 80202
(T) (303) 892-3840
(F) (303) 892-3848
1 (800) 659-2656 TDD

Secondary Contact:
Alice Kotrlik , Deputy Director