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Center For Biotechnology Awarded $500k U.S. Department of Commerce Grant

The i6 Challenge award sets aim on enhancing Long Island Bioscience Ecosystem

The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University has announced that is has received a three-year, $500,000 U.S. Department of Commerce i6 Challenge Investment. The award will support the Center for Biotechnology’s (CFB) efforts to bolster the regional bioscience ecosystem by supporting a formal mentorship program, as well as a critical NIH-focused SBIR/STTR training and application development program which will assist in capital formation and launching new companies.

The Center for Biotechnology is among 35 organizations — including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and entrepreneurship-focused organizations — from 19 states that will receive nearly $15 million to create and expand cluster-focused, proof-of-concept and commercialization programs, and early-stage seed capital funds through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program. The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), leads the Regional Innovation Strategies Program to spur innovation capacity-building activities in regions across the nation.

“Long Island’s innovation economy is rooted in cutting-edge basic and applied science and engineering, fostered by top-tier research institutions, a highly educated population, and a depth, breadth and scope of intellectual capital.” said Dr. Clinton T. Rubin, Director, Center for Biotechnology. Dr. Rubin continued, “This award and the initiatives it will support add to the growing, concentrated efforts the Center for Biotechnology, the Long Island Bioscience Hub and the hub’s partner institutions are making to grow the high technology innovations born in our region into fully realized ventures.”

The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) at Stony Brook University is an Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) Center for Advanced Technology. Established in 1983, the CFB’s efforts are focused on accelerating the development of biomedical technologies in order to have a positive impact on human health and society. The CFB is also the lead administrative institution for the Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH) an NIH-designated Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) established with a National Institutes of Health grant in 2015. The initiatives under the i6 Challenge award will complement the efforts of the LIBH, a partnership between the Center for Biotechnology, Stony Brook University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, to commercialize biomedical innovations emerging from the partner institutions.

Download a PDF of the press release here.

Related Articles:
Schumer: Biz-Development Funds Big Deal For SBU – Innovate Long Island
Stony Brook Biotech Center Wins $500,000 to Foster Companies – Newsday

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Attention Stony Brook University Faculy and Staff: Applications for the second cycle of the President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) opened August 3, 2026. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, this special initiative supports immediate-impact projects that can be launched quickly and deliver results within six to ten months.

The FIF provides awards of up to $300,000 focused on low‑investment, high‑reward initiatives that create visible, positive change. Examples of projects that would be considered include specialized equipment or technology acquisitions, pilot programs or proof‑of‑concept initiatives, targeted renovations or seed funding, among other opportunities.

All proposals must include a customized, high-level budget and be endorsed by the relevant vice president or dean with authority to implement the project. Applications for the August cycle will be available beginning August 3 with submissions due Friday, August 21 by 5 pm, ET. Please visit the Fast Impact Fund website for additional information and to submit an application.

[post_title] => SBU President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => sbu-presidents-fast-impact-fund-fif [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-08-19 08:30:44 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-08-19 12:30:44 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=5031 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2237 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2016-06-07 15:14:28 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-06-07 15:14:28 [post_content] => Traverse Biosciences has announced that it has secured $500,000 in convertible debt financing to support operations and advance product development efforts. The seed financing was led by Excell Partners, with matching funds from a number of individual accredited angel investors. The Research Foundation for the State of New York (RF/SUNY) also participated in the financing, as part of an exclusive license and option agreement executed last year that gave Traverse Biosciences access to the relevant intellectual property for use in animal and human health. Traverse Biosciences, which began when CEO Joseph Scaduto was serving as a BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence for the Center for Biotechnology, is working to commercialize its proprietary library of Stony Brook University invented chemically-modified curcumins for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions and cancers affecting humans and animals. Read more about Traverse and the recent financing:     [post_title] => Traverse Biosciences Secures $500k Seed Financing [post_excerpt] => Traverse Biosciences announced that it has secured $500,000 in convertible debt financing to support operations and advance product development efforts. The seed financing was led by Excell Partners, with matching funds from a number of individual accredited angel investors. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => traverse-biosciences-secures-500k-seed-financing [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-06-07 15:14:28 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-06-07 15:14:28 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2237 [menu_order] => 177 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4559 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2025-01-14 09:29:08 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-01-14 14:29:08 [post_content] =>

CNY Biotech Accelerator’s (CNYBAC) Medical Device Innovation Challenge (MDIC) is a 6-month virtual program mentoring selected early-to-mid stage start-up companies each year. The MDIC serves as a complementary and collaborative initiative to assist teams in preparation for incubation programs, expand their innovation ecosystem, and assess strategic planning by providing mentorship, resources, funding/pitch opportunities, and connections. Teams must be US-based and commercializing a medical device per FDA definition.

The initial MDIC Application is accepted January through March 15 each year. Those that fully complete the initial application are sent an Innovation Law Center Supplemental Application to be completed by March 31. Only those applicants that fill out both forms will move on to the selection process.

CNYBAC Medical Device Innovation Challenge (MDIC) Two-step Application Process:
Step 1: Confirm eligibility
Step 2: Complete Innovation Law Center (ILC) Application Review Form

If you meet the eligibility, complete an MDIC Application and return by March 15 to durdonk@upstate.edu.

Reach full eligibility and access application to apply here:
https://cnybac.com/medical-device-innovation-challenge-in-the-national-grid-creation-garage/

[post_title] => Medical Device Innovation Challenge [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => medical-device-innovation-challenge [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-01 12:37:25 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-01 16:37:25 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4559 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3110 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2018-12-18 16:29:30 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-12-18 16:29:30 [post_content] => As we all know, outside capital is like oxygen for technology related companies. Looking to raise funds to build your company? Equity crowdfunding may be an attractive option for startups or even companies of significant size (including those who have already done some capital raising!) Join the Center for Biotechnology, Farrell Fritz, P.C.and the Long Island High Technology Incubator for a workshop led by Alon Kapen, JD, Partner at Farrell Fritz, P.C. and Chair of its Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice group. Mr. Kapen will discuss different types of equity crowdfunding available and key considerations for companies contemplating a crowdfunding offering. Topics will include costs, benefits, and drawbacks of different types of crowdfunding, including accredited crowdfunding under Rule 506(c) of Regulation D; non-accredited crowdfunding under Title III of the JOBS Act and Regulation Crowdfunding; and “mini” public offerings under “Regulation A+”. Thursday, February 7, 2019 | 9am-10am Long Island High Technology Incubator Main Conference Room. 25 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790 Registration is free – please RSVP here. https://cfb-equity-crowdfunding19.eventbrite.com   About our speaker: Mr. Kapen has extensive experience in providing focused representation to founders, startups, emerging companies, angel investors and venture capital funds in a wide range of high growth entrepreneurial matters and transactions. Farrell Fritz is a full service law firm of more than 85 attorneys that has earned a strong reputation in the New York business community. The firm handles legal matters in the areas of bankruptcy & restructuring; business divorce; commercial litigation; condemnation & eminent domain; construction; corporate & finance; distressed assets; eDiscovery; emerging companies & venture capital; environmental law; estate litigation; health law; labor & employment; land use, municipal & zoning; real estate; tax planning & controversy; tax certiorari and trusts & estates for corporations, not-for-profit organizations and individuals. The Long Island High Technology Incubator (LIHTI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping new technologically-innovative companies grow by providing them with a variety of support resources and services. Since its opening in 1992, the Incubator has been associated with more than 120 businesses, and over 60 companies have graduated successfully from the LIHTI program, contributing over $2.5B to the national economy and creating jobs for over 500 employees. Our affiliation with the Stony Brook University makes LIHTI an ideal place for cutting-edge R&D. Transferring technology and ideas from the University to the private sector has proven to be the single most important reason why the program has succeeded beyond anyone’s imagination.   [post_title] => EQUITY CROWDFUNDING WORKSHOP [post_excerpt] => Outside capital is like oxygen for technology related companies and equity crowdfunding may be attractive for companies from startup to a significant size - learn more at our workshop on January 11th. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => equity-crowdfunding-workshop [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2019-04-09 14:41:13 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-04-09 14:41:13 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3110 [menu_order] => 106 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 4 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5031 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2026-08-10 12:17:19 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-08-10 16:17:19 [post_content] =>

Attention Stony Brook University Faculy and Staff: Applications for the second cycle of the President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) opened August 3, 2026. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, this special initiative supports immediate-impact projects that can be launched quickly and deliver results within six to ten months.

The FIF provides awards of up to $300,000 focused on low‑investment, high‑reward initiatives that create visible, positive change. Examples of projects that would be considered include specialized equipment or technology acquisitions, pilot programs or proof‑of‑concept initiatives, targeted renovations or seed funding, among other opportunities.

All proposals must include a customized, high-level budget and be endorsed by the relevant vice president or dean with authority to implement the project. Applications for the August cycle will be available beginning August 3 with submissions due Friday, August 21 by 5 pm, ET. Please visit the Fast Impact Fund website for additional information and to submit an application.

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SBU President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF)

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Traverse Biosciences Secures $500k Seed Financing

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Medical Device Innovation Challenge

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EQUITY CROWDFUNDING WORKSHOP

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