2025 ADVANCE – Statewide Early-Stage Proof of Concept Fund Program
The ADVANCE University Early-Stage Proof-of-Concept Fund (ESPoC) was created pursuant to Section 88o of the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Act, MCL 125.2088o, to: 1) support Michigan's public universities in identifying technologies with commercial potential; 2) reduce early-stage risk through proof-of-concept development; 3) encourage the formation of university-affiliated startup companies; and 4) facilitate applied research translation into market-ready innovations. The program is overseen by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) and administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
More Information
Since its launch on September 27, 2016, the ESPoC or often referred to as simply “ADVANCE,” has accelerated the commercialization of groundbreaking research from Michigan's public universities. By targeting innovations with high commercial potential at their earliest stages, the program helps convert funded research into real-world products, startup ventures, and economic benefits for the state. These technologies often require proof-of-concept work, such as feasibility testing, early prototype development, or a broader look at the market potential before they are ready for follow-on funding through other programs such as the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Program, Michigan University Innovation Capital Fund (MUICF), Michigan Pre-Seed Funds, Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund (MI-ETF), federal awards, and ultimately attracting private capital.
To address this gap, the ADVANCE Fund provides matching resources to support university technology transfer offices (TTOs) in moving discoveries from basic research to applied research to market-ready innovations. Investments empower TTOs to validate technical approaches, identify market opportunities, and create scalable prototypes that improve the potential for licensing or startup formation. These efforts are key to attracting follow-on investment while advancing into downstream programs. Successful university research commercialization relies heavily on the institution’s ability to actively “ADVANCE” portfolio technologies instead of merely screening, protecting, and holding these technologies.
Timeline
- April 25, 2025: Application posted
- May 16, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.: Questions from potential applicants are due via email to contractsandgrants@michigan.org. Please note: The MEDC/MSF will not respond to questions that are not received by the above date and time. In addition, questions that are phoned, faxed or sent through regular mail will not be accepted.
- May 30, 2025, by close of business: Responses to all qualifying questions will be posted on the MSF/MEDC website at www.michiganbusiness.org/advance-application.
- June 6, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.: Electronic versions of your applications are due to the MEDC/MSF via email to contractsandgrants@michigan.org. Proposals will not be accepted via U.S. Mail or any other delivery method, except for the above mentioned established email address. A confirmation email will be sent to the contact(s) listed on the application within 24 hours of receipt by MEDC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions regarding the application should be sent to: contractsandgrants@michigan.org.
Application Details
Download the application and view the full details below.
