Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant

The Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant is administered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, a state agency focused on strengthening economic growth, innovation, and industry competitiveness within Colorado. This program is part of the state’s broader Advanced Industries Accelerator initiative, which aims to support research institutions and bridge the gap between early-stage discoveries and commercial viability. The grant is specifically designed to help move promising technologies from research environments into real-world applications through structured commercialization activities. The primary purpose of this grant is to accelerate the development and commercialization of technologies that directly impact one or more of Colorado’s designated advanced industries. These industries include sectors such as aerospace, bioscience, energy, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. Projects funded under this program must demonstrate a clear pathway toward commercialization and are expected to involve pre-commercial research rather than basic research. The program emphasizes activities that reduce technological risk and enhance readiness for private-sector investment and market entry. Funding under this opportunity may be used for a defined set of commercialization-focused milestones. Eligible uses include proof of principle development, intellectual property protection, prototype creation and technical validation, market assessments, and costs associated with startup or corporate formation. However, funding cannot be applied toward basic research activities. Projects are expected to demonstrate tangible progress toward commercialization and align with industry needs. Additionally, indirect costs are capped at a specified percentage of total direct costs, ensuring that the majority of funding supports direct project activities. Applicants must provide a required cost share, with a minimum one-to-three ratio of institutional or third-party funding to state funding. This matching contribution must be in cash and verifiable at the time of grant execution. In-kind contributions are not permitted. Eligible applicants are limited to approved Colorado research institutions and federal laboratories, and applications must originate through designated institutional offices. Projects must also demonstrate a disruptive technological impact within at least one advanced industry and show strong potential for commercialization within Colorado. The application process involves a two-step submission mechanism. First, a pre-qualification questionnaire must be submitted by the institution’s technology transfer office. Upon approval, applicants gain access to the full application, which includes both scored and unscored sections. The application requires detailed information on project milestones, commercialization potential, budget, stakeholder collaboration, and technical feasibility. Reviewers evaluate applications using a structured scoring system across multiple criteria, including market potential, project plan, and collaboration strength. Applications are accepted during two annual cycles, typically spanning January through early spring and July through late summer. For the current cycle, the application deadline is August 27, 2026. The review process generally takes approximately ten to twelve weeks and includes multiple stages, such as compliance checks, independent reviews, industry subcommittee evaluations, and final approval by the Colorado Economic Development Commission. Selected applicants may be required to participate in pitch sessions and training before final decisions are made. Once awarded, recipients must execute a formal agreement before accessing funds, and expenditures must align strictly with approved budgets and milestones. The program includes conditions tied to commercialization outcomes, including potential reimbursement requirements if technologies are licensed outside Colorado without local economic benefit. Overall, the grant is a structured, competitive funding opportunity aimed at accelerating innovation, fostering partnerships, and strengthening Colorado’s advanced industry ecosystem through commercialization-driven research projects.

Ensure all industries selected directly support the application; Stay within indirect cost limits; Accurately complete Stakeholder Collaboration section to avoid rescoring or rejection.