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For Researchers

Grants & Loans

A primer to I&E's seed investment and senior-level counsel. If you're a faculty researcher employed by any accredited public or private university in Georgia, GRA can help you turn your discovery or invention into a startup company or licensed product.

The GRA Investment Zone

GRA bridges the gap from discovery to investor-ready.

University Research University-based development
  • Research Discovery University lab & IP
GRA Investment Zone Non-dilutive (no equity required)
  • Exploratory Grant (optional) Feasibility, prototype, go/no-go determination
  • Development Grant Milestone-driven translational development (repeatable, if needed)
  • Startup Formation University license; company created
  • GRA Startup Loan Milestone-based
Post-Formation Capital Company-based growth
  • Federal Capital SBIR / STTR Grants
  • Private Capital Angel / VC / Strategic

GRA investment and guidance takes place at a crucial point in the go-to-market journey.

Funding Tiers

Two kinds of grants to universities de-risk the technology, first by exploring its potential, then by preparing it for outside investment. The grants are non-dilutive; GRA does not have a financial stake in the project. Favorable loans to startup companies then 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, not a commitment to build, but a commitment to find out.

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

Development 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 Loan

Startup 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 Startup Loan to help the company further develop its technology to attract external financing.

GRA Startup Loans are deployed in tranches around achieved milestones rather than on a fixed calendar. They're designed to limit immediate dilution, with a modest warrant component and the option to convert in connection with a future financing event.

Loans support activities such as:

  • further develop products
  • launch pilot products
  • engage 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 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
  • Expertise through I&E's team

The goal is to help university researchers navigate key decisions and connect with Georgia's broader innovation ecosystem.

Ready to apply?

It begins with contacting your university representative. General inquiries: Grants@GRA.org.

How to Apply