Eligibility Criteria:

• The project must relate to the development of medical products with clinical applications in human healthcare.
• Coulter-funded projects require Co-PI collaborations between at least one UM faculty healthcare provider (physicians, nurses, or dentists) who treats patients with conditions related to the technology in the LOI and at least one UM College of Engineering or Biomedical Engineering Department faculty member with project relevant expertise and interest.
• Only permanent, full-time faculty in the tenure-track or research professorial ranks (assistant, associate, or full professors) at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor may be a Co-PI.
• Clinical instructors do not qualify as eligible for Co-PI status.
• Each Co-PI can submit only one LOI.

Important Information:

• The LOI must name one lead engineering Co-PI and one lead clinical Co-PI.
• This award is for translational research. Translational research de-risks specific technical hurdles leading toward early-stage product or business development. The fundamental science underlying the concept should have already been demonstrated through previous research activities.
• The funding process involves the submission of an Initial LOI, a revised Final LOI (after receiving feedback), and the submission of a Full Proposal with a pre-recorded pitch presentation, if selected for the Final Selection Meeting (Finals).
• Initial LOIs, Final LOIs, and Full Proposals with budgets will be accepted through InfoReady at: http://umichcoulter.infoready4.com/.
• Proposal teams are highly encouraged to meet with Thomas Marten ([email protected]), Coulter Managing Director (CMD), prior to the Initial LOI submission. 
• After the Initial LOI submission, proposal teams will work with the CMD and advisors to identify and address likely questions and strengthen the LOIs in a revised Final LOI that will be sent to the Coulter Oversight Committee (OC) for review and use in the selection of project teams for the Finals.
• For teams selected for the Finals: Between team selection and the date of the Finals, teams will work with the CMD and advisors to construct detailed technical, clinical, and commercial milestones, which will be included in full proposals.
  • CMD and advisors will provide suggestions on specific milestones that will address key questions and knowledge gaps.
  • Milestones will be designed to be achievable while creating value during the one-year funding period and within the anticipated budget.
  • Overall project goals will be designed to enhance the probability of obtaining follow-on funding beyond Coulter to continue development.
  • Incorporation of commercially relevant milestones to guide research plans will be encouraged.
• Faculty may involve graduate students and postdocs in the work, especially those interested in pursuing the product concept beyond this initial award.
• Funding decisions will be made by the OC at the Finals.  
• An Invention Disclosure must be submitted to Innovation Partnerships prior to the Full Proposal submission deadline, https://innovationpartnerships.umich.edu/submit-your-innovation/

Award Information:

• Estimated Number of Awards: 8 
• Anticipated funding: $100,000 per project
• Funding duration: 1 year (beginning July 1, 2026)