PUERTO RICO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH TRUST PROGRAM GIVES $3.1 MILLION TO 26 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS

Out of 89 proposals received, 16 were chosen for the Advanced Research Grant that awarded $150,000 to each winner and 10 proposals for the Catalyzer Research Grant that conferred $70,000 to each winner.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, September 12, 2019 – The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust Grant Program (PRSTRT) awarded $3.1 million to 26 science and technology research projects. Among the grants awarded, was the Advanced Research Grant that promotes cutting-edge research in various areas of science and technology with $150,000 to each winner. The Catalyzer Research Grant was also awarded, which conferred $70,000 to each recipient and aims to provide a first boost to scientists and help local researchers increase their chances of obtaining federal or private funds for their R&D (Research and Development) proposals.

Among the institutions awarded this year are the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus with 6 winning proposals; the Mayagüez Campus with 5 proposals; Ana G. Méndez University with 1 proposal; the UPR Medical Sciences Campus with 6 proposals; the Arecibo Observatory with 1 proposal; Ponce Health Science University with 4 proposals; the Universidad Central del Caribe, with 1 proposal and two startup companies.

“We are the only local grant mechanism that supports the development of science and technology research projects on the island. The objective of our program is to boost the economy of Puerto Rico based on innovation, science and technology; and – at the same time – reach a segment of scientists and entrepreneurs who find the program relevant. In this way, we advance the mission of the Trust to invest, facilitate and foster the capacities of local researchers to turn Puerto Rico into a center of innovation recognized worldwide by developing, attracting and retaining scientists and new technology entrepreneurs to unleash world class competitive creativity.”, said Andreica Maldonado, Grants Program Manager. “This year we are proud to highlight that each proposal was thoroughly evaluated by three experts in the field of over 130 institutions in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa that have academic, scientific and technological expertise,” she said.

Among the institutions that collaborated in the evaluation process were Cornell University, Harvard University, Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Toronto in Canada, Universidad Complutense in Spain, the University of Cambridge in England, the Pasteur de Lille Institute in France, the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, the National Technological University of Argentina, and the Technological Institute of Delhi, among others.

“The Research Grants program is one of the strategic areas that serves as a catalyst for Research and Development to become a source of income for the country and highlight our Human Resource in the living sciences. The results of this program have been measured with solid impacts and have allowed many researchers to scale,” said Lucy Crespo, Chief Executive Officer of PRSTRT.

The funds of the program have allowed to promote and develop research in the strategic sectors of biotechnology and natural sciences, renewable energy and/or clean technologies, aerospace, information and communications technology, medical devices, electronics, agriculture and environmental sciences have offered research opportunities, economical support; and have generated intellectual property, companies and patents.

To see the list of winners (attached), testimonial videos, and additional information on the grant program you can access https://prsciencetrust.org/