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SEPTEMBER 11, 2020
Funding
2021 MTRAC for Life Sciences RFP Released - Proposals Due Thursday, October 8
Have a hot concept in the realm of biomedical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, or digital health/IT that would be a great candidate for commercialization?

MTRAC Awards are part of the MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub. Made possible by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and co-managed by Fast Forward Medical Innovation and the U-M Office of Technology Transfer, the awards provide mid-stage, translational research funding and resources for
proof-of-concept and late-stage translational studies with a high potential for commercial success.

Innovators from all schools at the University of Michigan, other institutions of higher education, non-profit research centers, and hospital systems across Michigan are eligible to submit projects for funding consideration. MTRAC Awards provide one year of funding up to $150K per project, with cost-sharing required.

Questions? Contact Sara Risch, Biomedical Innovation Specialist, at johnssar@umich.edu or 734-764-5598.

On September 22 at noon, join Sara Risch, Denise Graves from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and other representatives from the state's MTRAC programs as they discuss MTRAC translational research funding. The webinar is part of the U-M Office of Technology Transfer's Celebrate Invention event.
Commercialization Education
FFMI fastPACE Fall Cohort Registration Available
FFMI fastPACE is a four-week biomedical and commercialization course designed to help participants prepare a successful business case for funding and development partnerships.

Registration is now available for the Fall cohort beginning September 25. Sign up today!

Questions? Email Jon Servoss, FFMI Director of Commercialization Education.
Sign Up for October 20 Innovation Studio
Looking for feedback and input on your biomedical innovation? Join the Fast Forward Medical Innovation team for Innovation Studio, virtual office hours that give life science innovators of all levels the chance to address project needs, challenges, or questions. Participants can get individual feedback on:
  • innovation concepts  
  • opportunities for commercialization education  
  • funding resources  
  • any other innovation concerns that faculty, staff, or trainees may have  

The Innovation Studio is available for 30-minute consultations via Zoom every third Tuesday of the month. The next consultations will take place Tuesday, October 20, between 2:00pm-3:30pm. Space is limited.

Questions? Email Jon Servoss, FFMI Director of Commercialization Education.
Idea to Impact Commercialization Webinar Series Now Available Online
The Idea to Impact webinar series wrapped up last week, and all webinars are now available online.

More than 100 individuals from 30 different institutions and organizations registered for some or all parts of the seven-part, á la carte webinar series intended for life science researchers and academic innovators interested in the commercialization of academic research.

"Excellent Webinar! Great job, Team FFMI. I am looking forward to the next." - Webinar 1 Finding Your "Why": The Significance & Incentives to Commercializing Academic Research attendee

"Great speakers. Loved the practical information they both shared! Thank you for doing a webinar on this specific topic." - Webinar 2 Key Considerations for the Pre-Clinical Development of Therapeutic Innovations attendee

The series outlined the significance and critical milestones of developing novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health innovations, as well as essential collaborations with industry partners, to translate a research-based idea into a product of impact.
Bulletin Board
Celebrate Invention 2020 Goes Virtual
Join members of the University of Michigan community of innovators, leaders from promising U-M startups, and alumni from around the world for the first-ever virtual Celebrate Invention. The event will honor U-M inventors, discuss the growing impact of U-M innovations, and explore ways to further propel U-M's innovation ecosystem.

Monday, September 21, 2020 - Thursday, September 24, 2020
Registration required for each event

FFMI's Sara Risch will be part of a webinar on Tuesday, September 22 at noon to discuss the MTRAC for Life Sciences program. She will be joined by Denise Graves of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and representatives from all of the state's MTRAC programs.
The Basics of Creating an Early-Stage Academic Startup
As part of the U-M Office of Technology Transfer's Celebrate Invention event this year, Osage University Partners will be presenting an educational session entitled, "The Basics of Creating an Early-Stage Academic Startup." The presentation is designed to help researchers and new entrepreneurs understand the current startup company process from idea to fundable entity.

Thursday, September 24, 2020
12:00pm
A2 Tech Trek Moves Online
Ann Arbor's largest, public, tech-inspired event is will be online. This year, leading technology companies will "open their doors" virtually using video storytelling to showcase their offices and innovations.

On Friday, September 25, at 1:00pm, an interactive map will launch featuring more than 50 companies participating in Tech Trek and Mobility Row. Whether you're a job seeker, student, professional, or someone curious about the Ann Arbor tech community - everyone is welcome to explore.
Optimizing the Delivery of Telehealth at Michigan Medicine and Beyond
The Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation kicks off its Research Seminar Series with Chad Ellimoottil, M.D., M.S. presenting "Optimizing the Delivery of Telehealth at Michigan Medicine and Beyond." Registration is required. Viewing link will be emailed to registrants in advance of the presentation.

Friday, September 25, 2020
1:00pm - 2:00pm
MICHR Mentoring Academy Starts October 7
Interested in improving your mentoring skills? Consider applying for the MICHR Mentoring Academy, which starts October 7, 2020. Apply through Competition Space by September 20, 2020.

Designed for senior postdocs and faculty in clinical and translational research, participants in this program will learn how to better coach and counsel other less-experienced mentors, as well as enhance their own interpersonal skills for mutually beneficial mentor-mentee interactions.
Registration Now Open for the Massey Family Foundation Virtual TBI Conference
MCIRCC is uniting the world’s most forward-thinking minds to combat traumatic brain injury. Join us online for an afternoon of insightful lectures, Q&A sessions with a panel of field and industry leaders, and presentations from research teams funded through the Massey TBI Grand Challenge framework.

Thursday, October 15, 2020
1:00pm - 3:30pm
How to Think Like a Grant Reviewer Workshops
Are you writing a career development or R01 grant? Register now for this mock study section workshop offered by MICHR on October 21, 2020, which will help you understand how NIH grant reviewers think.

As one of eight reviewers, you will discuss actual 12-page K and R grants (already submitted in some version to the NIH). You will learn what happens behind the closed doors in a real K or R grant review.
Our Collaborators
U-M Tech Transfer
To better navigate the complexities of the U-M biomedical research enterprise, visit the Research Project Lifecycle. This interactive tool provides an overview of the resources available to you, not only within the Medical School Office of Research but also across the University of Michigan.
Fast Forward Medical Innovation is part of the Office of Research, where our mission is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the U-M Medical School community and supports biomedical science from insight to impact.