Applying for a GRA grant or loan

Faculty researchers employed by any accredited public or private university in Georgia. Grants are awarded to universities developing innovations; they de-risk the technology, first by exploring its potential, then by preparing it for outside investment.

Only companies with substantial operations in Georgia and founded on Georgia university technologies. GRA may provide a Startup Loan after a company forms around a Georgia university technology, to help it attract external financing.

GRA grants are non-dilutive; GRA does not have a financial stake in the project. Startup Loans are designed to limit immediate dilution, with a modest warrant component and the option to convert in connection with a future financing event.

Exploratory Grants provide up to $10,000 with rolling submission. Development Grants range from $10,000 to $250,000, with six review cycles per year. Startup Loans are typically awarded in amounts up to $250,000, deployed in tranches around achieved milestones. See Grants & Loans for what each supports.

From your university’s designated GRA representative, who helps shape and submit proposals.

Activities that reduce commercial risk and further develop the commercially relevant value proposition: prototype development, technology feasibility studies, market research, customer discovery, intellectual property assessment, and regulatory and reimbursement assessment, among others.

Among other exclusions: compensation of any individual who holds equity in a GRA-funded company, patent prosecution or incorporation legal expenses, proposals seeking preliminary data for non-commercial grants (NIH, NSF, DoD), exploratory or basic research, student tuition, overhead and rent. GRA grants also do not fund indirect (F&A) costs. The proposal guidelines in the funding documents carry the full lists.

Yes. GRA may award more than one Development Grant if a project makes meaningful progress or if additional milestones justify added investment. Exploratory Grant outcomes often serve as the foundation for a subsequent Development Grant.

Milestones and a budget update are reported semi-annually until all funds have been spent, and every grant-funded project submits a 6-Month Project Update Form, starting 6 months after funding and continuing while the grant is active. GRA may elect to pay funds in tranches based on milestones, which can include both scientific and business tasks.

If animal or human subjects will be used with GRA funds, IACUC and IRB approval must be obtained from your university prior to proposal submission.

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; and expertise from the I&E team.