Research and Development
We empower scientists and researchers to take Puerto Rico’s knowledge economy to a higher level of excellence
Our Research Grant program offers a structured, systematic, open, and competitive funding mechanism to support the development of science and technology research projects in Puerto Rico. Our program represents a critical source of competitive financial support for fundamental research and commercialization activities that builds the knowledge economy, fuels innovation, and empowers Puerto Rican scientists and entrepreneurs.
The funding initiatives of the Research Grants Program were developed to directly support basic research, applied research and product development through both competitive and non-competitive mechanisms.
Our Vision
Empowering scientists and researchers to take Puerto Rico’s knowledge economy to a higher level of excellence. Continued expansion and investment in the Research Grants Program is among the Trust’s highest priorities with the understanding that the outputs of a robust scientific community engaged in competitive research and development are critical to the creation of meaningful jobs and economic growth in Puerto Rico.
Our Mission
Provide proof-of-concept funding and incentives to advance locally developed R&D projects to become more competitive for federal and private funding and/or commercialization.
OUR WORK
148
research grants awarded since the program’s inception
$16,308,572
total investment
$60,021,220
return of investment
*Numbers based on grantee progress reports (up to April 2024).
This results in a strong knowledge economy, fuels multisectoral innovation, and enables Puerto Rican scientists and entrepreneurs.
Currently, the program has four funding mechanisms:
Selection process
The Research Grants Program’s selection process is based on standard and recognized peer-review procedures utilized by federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. By strictly adhering to a comprehensive peer review process that assesses the scientific merit of grant applications in a fair, independent, expert-driven, and free from inappropriate influences, the Trust can identify and fund the most promising research or development work.
What type of work they do?
Where are they from?
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Denmark
France
Germany
India
Ireland
Italy
Mexico
Portugal
South Africa
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Our Initiatives
Milo Climate Action Academy
Become an agent of change for Puerto Rico! Be part of the first-ever Milo Climate Action Academy, pioneering in Puerto Rico, as we harness satellite data to lead the way in climate innovation.
Forward Research & Innovation Summit – Research and Space Edition
On Thursday, November 30, the 5th edition of the Research and Innovation Summit presented by the Trust for Science, Technology [...]
Send your research to space!
Explore the benefits of conducting research in microgravity
Funding Opportunity, up to $50K In addition, the Trust with Rhodium will cover the cost of the mission, up [...]
Are you interested in the development of new Covid-19 treatments?
The Puerto Rico Accelerating Covid-19 Treatments and Drug Development Grant (PR-ACTD), an initiative of the DDEC, is aimed at promoting and subsidizing research and development projects for the creation of new treatments and/or drugs for Covid-19. The projects to be funded can be academic or private company and will be evaluated for their impact on public health and their potential for economic development.
Forward Symposium 2022
Be part of Puerto Rico's premier showcase in the Caribbean of science, technology, and innovative projects.
Puerto Rico y España: Subvención para proyectos en innovación tecnológica
Convocatoria para facilitar el acceso de entidades entre Puerto Rico y España que financien proyectos de colaboración tecnológica.
Featured Grantees
Meet our current grantees
Scientific Review Board
Andrés J. García, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience
Petit Director’s Chair in Bioengineering and Bioscience
Regents’ Professor, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Vanessa Gonzalez-Perez, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean | Access, Diversity and Inclusion for the Natural Sciences and Engineering
GSP Interim Director, The Graduate School | Princeton University
Carlos E. Crespo-Hernández, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry and Associate Dean for Research
College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
Yajaira Sierra Sastre, Ph.D.
Engineering Project Manager - Mars Sample Return and the Artemis VIPER rover missions
NASA Glenn Research Center
Marcos López Casillas, Ph.D.
Research Manager - Puerto Rico Public Health Trust
Director of the Laboratory for Genomic Surveillance of CoVID-19 in Puerto Rico
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