For Georgia Researchers

Grants & Loans

If you’re a faculty researcher employed by *any* accredited public or private university in Georgia, you qualify for GRA’s investment and counsel to get your discovery “investor-ready.”

GRA bridges the gap from discovery to investor-ready

University Research

Research Discovery University lab & intellectual property

GRA Investment Zone Non-dilutive (no equity required)

Exploratory Grant (optional) Feasibility, prototype, customer discovery
Development Grant Milestone-driven translational development (repeatable, if needed)
Startup Formation University license; company created, launched
GRA Loan Favorable terms, milestone-based

Post-Formation Capital Company-based growth

Federal Capital SBIR/STTR Grants
Private Capital Angel/VC/Strategic

The details

I&E offers two kinds of grants to universities to “de-risk” a promising technology, first by exploring its potential, then by preparing it for outside investment. The grants are non-dilutive, funding the project while still inside the university.

Later on: Loans to startup companies help bridge the gap between technology development and external financing.

GRA Grant

Exploratory Grants

Up to $10,000 Rolling submission

Exploratory Grants support small, focused projects that answer foundational questions: Is my core technology feasible? Does it actually do what the team believes it can do? Is there a market for it? Should we keep going? The outcome is a structured go/no-go decision.

Exploratory Grants are, by design, limited in scope. They support activities such as:

targeted experiments confirming technical feasibility
early prototype or proof-of-function testing
limited benchmarking against existing solutions
early customer discovery or market validation

The outcomes from exploratory projects inform the next stage of development and often serve as the foundation for a subsequent Development Grant.

GRA Grant

Development Grants

$10,000 to $250,000 Six review cycles a year

Development Grants support milestone-driven projects that propel technologies toward commercialization. These projects typically focus on reducing technical risk and demonstrating meaningful differentiation from products and services already available.

Development grants also prepare technologies for startup company launch, licensing through an outside entity or external capital.

These grants support activities such as:

developing and refining prototypes
validating technologies and conducting benchmark studies
conducting preclinical testing (therapeutics, medical technologies)
conducting pilot manufacturing or system integration work
analyzing the IP and regulatory landscapes
deploying and evaluating pilots with customers or partners

GRA may award more than one Development Grant if a project makes meaningful progress or if additional milestones justify added investment.

GRA Loans

Typically up to $250,000 Application includes a due-diligence checklist

After a startup company forms around a Georgia university technology, GRA may provide a loan to help a company further develop its technology to attract external financing.

GRA Loans are deployed in tranches around achieved milestones rather than on a fixed calendar. They support activities such as:

further developing products
launching pilot products
engaging early customers

Important: Only companies with substantial operations in Georgia and founded on Georgia university technologies are eligible for GRA loans.

Commercialization Expertise

Enterprising university researchers in Georgia often need added guidance when moving their innovations to market. GRA provides:

Counsel from the I&E team, industry advisors and experienced entrepreneurs, including GRA Senior Advisors, throughout the I&E process
Connections to potential management talent
Introductions to investors and strategic partners

How to Apply