Funding Available to Accelerate CSU Technologies Through Advanced Industries Grants

At Colorado State University, groundbreaking research doesn’t stop at publication; it holds the potential to solve real-world challenges and spark entire industries. To help CSU innovators successfully bridge the gap between discovery and commercial viability, CSU Strata, in partnership with the CSU Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), is pleased to announce the opening of the latest Advanced Industries Proof of Concept (AI POC) Grant cycle. 

Funded through a dedicated allocation from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), this program serves as a vital financial pipeline for university-born technologies. Eligible CSU faculty and researchers can apply for up to $130,000 per project – with a 1:3 cash match required – to accelerate their innovations into commercial markets, driving tangible economic impact across Colorado. 

The application window is now open and will close on Aug. 10, 2026. 

A Legacy of Market-Driven Success 

Since its inception, the Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant program has channeled millions of dollars into CSU’s research enterprise, advancing more than 80 projects toward commercial licensing, startup creation, and real-world deployment. 

Last year alone, six CSU-led projects secured a combined $800,000 in AI POC funding through CSU’s direct allocation and OEDIT’s competitive general pool. Last year’s grant recipients include: 

• A Novel Implantable Materials Platform 
  Primary Investigator: Travis Bailey, Professor, School of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering

• Development Of a Medicated Bird Feed for Enhanced Control of West Nile Virus Transmission
  Primary Investigator: Brian Foy, Professor, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology

• Evaluation of an Oncolytic Virus Adjunct Therapy for Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas
  Primary Investigator: Amy MacNeill, Professor, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology

• Intelligent Electrification Planning for Fleets
  Primary Investigator: Jason Quinn, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering

• Revolutionizing quantum control at the atomic scale with a nanoengineered probe design
  Primary Investigators: Yulia Maximenko, Assistant Professor, Physics, CSU; Dacen Waters, Assistant Professor, Physics and Astronomy, University of Denver
• Single-step electrochemical carbon capture and conversion to Dimethyl Ether: An Accelerated Pathway to Sustainable Aviation Fuel 
  Primary Investigator: Reza Nazemi, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering

See all of last year’s grantees at: csustrata.org/news-article/csu-researchers-awarded-800000-to-accelerate-colorados-advanced-industries. 

Aligning Your Research with the Market 

To qualify, applicants must be non-temporary, salaried, state-classified, or general CSU faculty employees. Projects eligible for this year’s funding must align with one or more of the state’s seven advanced industries: aerospace, advanced manufacturing, bioscience, electronics, energy and natural resources, infrastructure engineering, and technology and information. 

Because the application process features significant updates this cycle, including requiring a pre-recorded 15-minute presentation via the CSU InfoReady System by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 10, CSU Strata is hosting two targeted workshops to set applicants up for success. 

• Thursday, July 16 | 4–5 p.m. | AI POC Program Overview and Q&A: A deep dive into the 2026 submission pipeline, eligibility parameters, evaluation criteria, and required 1:3 match funding. Register Here 

• Wednesday, July 22 | 1–2:30 p.m. | Commercialization and Market Outcomes Seminar: A specialized session designed to help researchers effectively articulate commercial viability and market readiness. Register Here 

Getting Started 

For complete program guidelines, presentation templates, and submission resources, visit our dedicated Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant Program webpage.