Funding opportunities: Product & service development
Turn your innovation into a product or service that improves human health with support from CTSI’s Office of Discovery and Translation (ODAT).
ODAT's programs blend funding and expert guidance to develop solutions, such as devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, software, and service models.
Funding programs
Translational Grant Program
Supports human health innovations in a target priority area.
Next application cycle (2021) timing is TBD.
Translational Product Development Fund (TPDF)
Advances projects that have the potential to be commercialized.
Next application cycle opens January 2021.
Pediatric Health Innovation Programs
Drives the development of pediatric health innovations.
Applications accepted at any time.
Committee for Pharmaceutical Development (CPD)
Focuses on the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products.
Applications accepted at any time.
How we support our grantees
Funding
Since 2012, ODAT has awarded more than $12 million in funding to support University innovators developing novel solutions for unmet human health needs.
Guidance from experts
ODAT draws from its broad network of University- and industry-based experts to offer guidance to awardees. Advisory support is tailored to each innovation to address potential development barriers and create a feasible pathway to impact.
Collaborative project management
Our team understands what it takes to move human health innovations from idea to impact. With considerable experience in both academia and medical industries, the ODAT team works collaboratively with awardees and experts to guide projects and support successful outcomes.
Impact
$50+ million in funding
Funds awarded to ODAT project teams include $12 million from ODAT and $40 million in non-ODAT follow-on funds.
145+ innovations
ODAT has supported a broad range of solutions to improve human health in areas such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases, rare diseases, behavioral health, pediatric conditions, and more.
16 innovations licensed
ODAT funding programs have resulted in 10 University start-ups, including CoreBiome, Andarta Medical, and EmboMedics.
Who we support
ODAT funding opportunities are open to University of Minnesota faculty with innovations for unmet human health needs. We prioritize projects that have identified a solution and are at the stage of solution design and testing.
Community engagement: Advancing children’s unmet medical needs
To better understand unmet needs in pediatric health, we engage directly with our community.
The Community Discovery Program encourages members of the public to describe challenges and experiences related to caring for children’s medical needs that could be improved with new technology. We evaluate opportunities for innovation and advance feasible, high-impact solutions within the University.
Our team
Sandra Wells, PhD
Assistant Director
smwells@umn.edu
Jodi Fenlon Rebuffoni
Senior Program Manager (primary contact for the Pediatric Health and Translational Grant programs)
fenl0003@umn.edu
Brittni Peterson, PhD
Program Manager (primary contact for the TPDF and CPD programs)
bmpete@umn.edu
