Posted July 31, 2026 by Jacey Kent
NUtech Ventures has launched the Innovation Advancement Fund, a proof-of-concept funding program designed to help move promising research from the laboratory toward commercialization.
The Innovation Advancement Fund supports researchers in generating evidence to propel their innovations toward licensing, startup creation and practical application. NUtech Ventures will manage the fund with an annual allocation of $100,000 from the Office of Research and Innovation.
“The ultimate goal of this program is to provide critical funding at a time in a technology’s life cycle when there are few other sources,” said Cheryl Horst, executive director of NUtech Ventures.
What is the Innovation Advancement Fund?
The Innovation Advancement Fund will award four to seven proof-of-concept grants this year, with individual awards of up to $20,000. The proposals are due on Sept. 15 through NUramp’s internal competitions module. Eligibility details are available on the website.
Unlike traditional research grants, these proof-of-concept grants are not intended to fund new scientific discovery. Funding may be used for activities such as prototype development, technical validation and other milestone-driven work — all intended to increase a technology’s commercialization readiness.
Projects may last up to 12 months and are designed to advance an innovation’s maturity level, making it more appealing to potential licensees, industry partners and startup investors.
Why proof-of-concept funding matters
Every year, University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers discover new and exciting innovations, yet many promising technologies never reach the marketplace because they become stranded in what is commonly known as the “valley of death.”
“The Innovation Advancement Fund is designed to bridge this technology readiness gap by providing resources to innovators,” said Jeewan Jyot, NUtech’s director of licensing. “With these resources, innovators can validate their technologies and reduce their commercialization risks.”
Learn more
NUtech Ventures will host office hours in August and early September to answer questions about the fund. Registration will be announced soon for the following dates and times:
- Aug. 10, 12-1 p.m.
- Aug. 26, 9-10 a.m.
- Sept. 9, 2-3 p.m.
More information, including complete application instructions and eligibility criteria, is available on the NUtech Ventures website.
