Apply for Funding | The Eshelman Institute for Innovation

Therapeutic Grants

Our 2023 Annual Therapeutics Grant is now closed. Applicants should expect to hear from the Institute soon about funding decisions.

The Eshelman Institute for Innovation aspires to be a preeminent driver of cutting-edge technologies that solve the most pressing healthcare challenges. The Eshelman Institute encourages UNC-CH faculty and staff to submit proposals for innovative projects that create or further develop intellectual property or provide commercial opportunities that could support the sustainability of the Eshelman Institute.

All UNC-CH faculty and staff are eligible to apply for Eshelman Institute funding. We encourage proposals that include a broad spectrum of scientific engagement through meaningful collaborations across a variety of diverse disciplines, departments, schools, and institutions. We encourage UNC-CH faculty and staff to consider working with collaborators that provide broad scientific or commercial engagement to your idea. Please review our grant guidelines for more information.

The Eshelman Institute seeks to fund translational research related to therapeutics focused on oncology, infectious disease, and neuroscience (including rare diseases). However, the Institute welcomes ideas for devices and diagnostics, and other therapeutic areas and services.

The Eshelman Institute offers grants within three categories:

Therapeutic – A project whose ultimate goal is to develop a drug
Technology Platform – A project developing novel tool(s) with the potential to accelerate drug discovery/development)
Other (e.g., devices, diagnostics, delivery)

Please view our grant guidelines for more information or visit our How to Apply page to learn more about the Institute’s Faculty and Staff Awards.

Digital Health Grants

After a Venture Studio sprint, some concepts are deemed to be very attractive potential startups, but in order to spin out, they will need key technology and/or clinical development. These concepts would be eligible for a non-dilutive Eshelman Institute validation grant. Our team works with innovators to define the right tech/clinical validation project that would help get the concept in position for launching as a future startup. These concepts will enter back into the Studio for further diligence when ready. Please contact the Institute for more information.

Graduate Students and Postdocs

Please note that the Eshelman Institute no longer offers graduate student and postdoc awards. If a student or postdoc has an innovative idea that meets our strategic focus and has commercial potential, please contact the Institute. There may be opportunities for you to apply for opportunistic grant funding.