My research is fundamental and not yet applied—does this program apply to me?
Yes. REACH funding is designed to help academic researchers bridge the gap between fundamental discoveries and real-world application. If your research has the potential to address an unmet need—whether through a new therapeutic target, biomarker, diagnostic, or enabling technology—and will result in new intellectual property, or will add value to existing intellectual property, this program can help. The Center for Biotechnology provides both funding and expert guidance to help address early stage translation of breakthrough discoveries and position the work for follow-on funding, including traditional federal resources (NIH, NSF, DoD, etc), Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer awards or industry partnerships.
I’ve never pursued commercialization before. How do I know if my research is a good fit?
If your research could lead to a product, therapy, or technology that impacts human health, it could be a strong candidate. You don’t need to have a startup or a business model—REACH is designed to help researchers assess feasibility, identify translational paths, and refine their strategy. Our team provides support in market exploration, IP strategy, and defining key technical milestones to make your work more attractive to funding agencies or industry partners.
Does REACH require me to start a company?
No. The program supports academic research teams whether or not they intend to form a company. REACH funding focuses on advancing scientific discoveries to a stage where they can attract further development funding. Some projects may eventually spin out into startups, while others may find commercialization pathways through licensing or industry collaborations.
What types of projects does REACH support?
REACH funds a broad range of bio-convergence, bio-based, bio-medical innovations that could lead to impactful healthcare solutions, including:
– Novel therapeutics or drug targets, such as living therapies (cell and gene therapy, regenerative therapies, oncolytic viruses), small molecules, biologics, radiopharmaceuticals, and others
– Biomarker discovery and validation
– Diagnostics and medical devices
– Enabling technologies and platforms, such as nanomaterials for targeting and delivery, synthetic engineered RNA molecules, bioinformatics platforms, or synthetic biology tools
If you’re working on an innovative approach that could address an unmet medical need, REACH can help determine the right translational steps.
What kind of support does the Center for Biotechnology provide beyond funding?
Beyond funding, REACH offers:
– Guidance on translational strategy and commercialization pathways
– Connections to industry partners, investors, and regulatory experts
– Access to expert mentors in biotech, regulatory affairs, and IP strategy
– Support for securing follow-on funding, such as SBIR/STTR grants
How does REACH help overcome the ‘valley of death’ between research and commercialization?
Early-stage scientific discoveries often lack the funding needed to generate the data required for industry or venture investment. REACH helps de-risk projects by:
– Funding key technical milestones
– Supporting researchers in refining market fit
– Generating critical data to attract follow-on funding
This structure helps researchers efficiently navigate the transition from discovery to real-world impact.
I’m interested—what are the next steps?
If you think your research might be a fit, the best way to start is by reaching out for an initial discussion. We can help assess your project’s stage and potential for REACH support. From there, we’ll guide you through the application process and provide recommendations to strengthen your proposal.
Contact:
Dee Dao, PhD
Associate Director, Center for Biotechnology
dee.dao@stonybrook.edu