Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH)
Understand the REACH program's goals, learn about the 8 hubs that comprise the program, and which institutes are eligible to participate.
The Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH) program includes 8 proof-of-concept hubs with 51 universities and technical colleges from 12 states. This trans-NIH program implements the Phase 0 Proof of Concept Partnership pilot program authorized in the 2011 SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act (P.L. 112-81).
The program focuses on bringing basic science discoveries to market by providing:
- Entrepreneurial training for innovators on how to bring technologies to market
- Feedback from federal and industry experts
- Funding to support early-stage product definition studies
- Project management support
NIH announced $20 million to support academic product development and entrepreneurshipNIH has committed $1 million per year for four years to support five new REACH hubs. Learn more about this exciting opportunity in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) (RFA-OD-23-005). For questions about the funding opportunity, please contact Eddie Billingslea (NIGMS Science/Research Contact) or Brett Hodgkins (NIGMS Financial/Grants Management Contact). For more information about the NIH Proof of Concept Network, contact SEED. Two webinars were held about the NIH REACH Program in December 2022. |
Proof of Concept Network
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Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH)
Learn more about the 8 hubs and eligible institutes below:
2019 REACH Hubs
These hubs were established in 2019 and are funding new projects.
KYNETIC
Kentucky Network Innovation and Commercialization

Institutes:
- University of Kentucky
- Northern Kentucky University
- Morehead State University
- Western Kentucky State University
- Kentucky Community and Technical College System
- University of Louisville
- Kentucky State University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Murray State University
WE-REACH
Washington Entrepreneurial Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub

Institutes:
CO-SPARK
University of Colorado Spark

Institutes:
MBArC
Midwest Biomedical Accelerator Consortium

Institutes:
- University of Missouri-Columbia
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Langston University
- University of Kansas Medical Center
- Fort Hays State University
- Emporia State University
- University of Nebraska Medical Center
- University of North Dakota
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Kansas State University
- Wichita State University
- Pittsburg State University
- Washburn University
- Oklahoma University
- University of South Dakota
ROI
Rutgers Optimizes Innovation

Institutes:
2015 REACH Hubs
These hubs were established in 2015 and are no longer funding new projects.
MN-REACH
University of Minnesota

Institutes:
LIBH
Long Island Bioscience Hub

Institutes:
- Stony Brook University
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- Feinstein Institute
UOfL-ExCITE
University of Louisville
