NCBiotech supports North Carolina life sciences researchers and companies by funding research, technology development, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and growth across the life sciences ecosystem.
North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s recent grantmaking is anchored by large research awards to North Carolina universities and health systems, including $1.27 million to Duke University and $813,168 to Unc-chapel Hill in 2025. Those grants sit alongside support for translational research, university infrastructure, and early-stage technology development that helps move inventions toward commercialization. The center also funds company-facing and community-facing work, including an economic development grant to the Town of Holly Springs and research support for regional institutions such as Wake Forest University Health and East Carolina University. Its active programs show a mix of research, meetings, and event support, with a separate translational research grant line and biotechnology meeting grants for in-state convenings. The center’s portfolio connects biotechnology, life sciences commercialization, incubators, workforce development, and market intelligence with targeted funding for North Carolina organizations. Recent awards also reach UNC Wilmington, UNC Charlotte, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Central University, showing a statewide pattern of academic and applied-science support.
Research grantmaking is the center’s main lane. It awarded $543,359 to North Carolina State University in 2024 and $534,743 in 2025, both coded as research, while $316,878 went to Duke University Medical Center in 2023. The program descriptions point to grants that build university infrastructure, support early-stage development of university inventions, and move technologies toward commercialization. The center also supports translational biomedical work. Its Translational Research Grant program backs projects designed to address critical medical needs and improve health outcomes; one cited award was $109,772 for an 18-month project at ECU. Beyond research, it funds economic development and convening activity. The Town of Holly Springs received $275,000 in 2023 for economic development, and the Biotechnology Event Sponsorships and Biotechnology Meeting Grants programs support life sciences meetings, conferences, and in-state convenings.
Typical grants fall at a median of $36,216, with a 25th percentile of $17,820 and a 75th percentile of $104,804. The recent list shows both smaller program awards and much larger research grants, including seven-figure support in 2025. Grantmaking is recurring rather than one-off: North Carolina State University, Duke University, UNC Wilmington, Wake Forest University Health, East Carolina University, and UNC Charlotte each appear in multiple years. The center is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it makes program-related investments. Its active programs accept unsolicited requests for event grants, meeting grants, translational research grants, and general research grants.
$3M
$42.2M
$21M
$22.4M
Most grants fall between $18K and $105K, with a median of $36K.
25th Percentile
$18K
Median
$36K
75th Percentile
$105K
DOUGLAS L EDGETON
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Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in North Carolina, with 94% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and the top state by grant count also North Carolina. Recent awards land in major research hubs and regional cities alike: Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Durham, Holly Springs, Wilson, and Edenton. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 77 grants to U.S. recipients.
It funds universities, university health systems, local governments, economic development groups, and biotechnology-related convenings. Recent grants include research awards to Duke University, North Carolina State University, UNC Wilmington, Wake Forest University Health, and North Carolina Central University, plus economic development support for the Town of Holly Springs.
The center focuses on biotechnology, life sciences commercialization, research grants, company loans, incubators and lab space, workforce training and career development, market research and life sciences intelligence, and events and networking. Its active programs also emphasize translational research and in-state life sciences meetings.
Yes. The Biotechnology Event Sponsorships and Biotechnology Meeting Grants programs accept unsolicited requests, and the Translational Research Grant program and general NCBiotech Research Grants program also accept unsolicited applications.
The grant-size distribution centers at a median of $36,216, with a 25th percentile of $17,820 and a 75th percentile of $104,804. The active event-grant programs are much smaller, ranging from $0 to $2,000, while Biotechnology Meeting Grants can go up to $10,000.
The giving is highly local. North Carolina recipients account for 94% of grants, and the top state by grant count is North Carolina. Recent awards were made to organizations in Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Durham, Holly Springs, Wilson, and Edenton.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from North Carolina Biotechnology Center that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must be permanent, full-time core facility directors or faculty members at North Carolina academic or nonprofit research institutes. A cash match is required.
Deadline: FY27 deadline: September 30, 2026 at noon.
Who can apply: Researchers at any North Carolina university or nonprofit research institute may apply. Companies and individuals are not eligible. The current Cycle 2 solicitation focuses on New Approach Methodologies; consumer products and mobile apps are not supported.
Deadline: FY27 Cycle 1: July 15, 2026 at noon; Cycle 2: October 21, 2026 at noon; Cycle 3: March 10, 2027 at noon.
Who can apply: Any North Carolina university or nonprofit organization with an independent tax identification number or EIN may apply. Events must advance understanding or application of biotechnology and life sciences for the benefit of North Carolina.
Deadline: FY27 deadlines: May 20, 2026 for July-September 2026 events; August 26, 2026 for October-December 2026 events; November 18, 2026 for January-March 2027 events; February 17, 2027 for April-June 2027 events. All deadlines are at noon.
Who can apply: NCBiotech's university research funding is available to North Carolina universities or nonprofit research institutions.
Deadline: FY27 deadline: December 2, 2026 at noon. Informational webinars are scheduled for October 1 and October 22, 2026.
Who can apply: Applicants must be researchers employed by a North Carolina-based university or nonprofit research institute. Projects must have commercial potential and include a project team with a project manager and relevant, achievable milestones.
Deadline: FY27 Cycle 1 deadline: August 5, 2026 at noon; Cycle 2 deadline: January 27, 2027 at noon.
Who can apply: Any North Carolina university or non-profit organization with an independent tax ID (EIN); meeting must be life-sciences focused and held in North Carolina (national/international meeting eligibility emphasized).
Deadline: Quarterly proposal deadlines (FY26 example: May 28, 2025; Aug 27, 2025; Nov 19, 2025; additional quarterly deadlines).
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC-CHAPEL HILL | ATLANTA, GA | $711,065 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $486,254 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $451,043 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| UNC-WILMINGTON | WILMINGTON, NC | $311,144 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $293,627 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| UNC-CHARLOTTE | CHARLOTTE, NC | $185,280 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| WILSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL | WILSON, NC | $100,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $61,697 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| UNC-ASHEVILLE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $57,632 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY | HIGH POINT, NC | $54,522 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF RESEARCH | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $52,337 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| CENTRAL CAROLINA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SANFORD, NC | $50,896 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | DURHAM, NC | $50,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| RTI INTERNATIONAL | RALEIGH, NC | $49,672 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $32,046 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY | BOONE, NC | $28,125 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| CRAVEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | NEW BERN, NC | $13,644 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| HIGGS BOSTON INC | DURHAM, NC | $8,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS OF NORTH CAROLINA | WAKE FORESET, NC | $8,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| WAKE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE | RALEIGH, NC | $7,720 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CMP PHARMA INC | FARMVILLE, NC | $7,398 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| PITT COMMUNITY COLLEGE | GREENVILLE, NC | $5,801 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| JOHNSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SMITHFIELD, NC | $5,458 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NC ASSOCIATION FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH | RALEIGH, NC | $5,065 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $1,268,245 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| UNC-CHAPEL HILL | ATLANTA, GA | $813,168 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $534,743 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| UNC-WILMINGTON | WILMINGTON, NC | $245,172 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $244,788 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| UNC-CHARLOTTE | CHARLOTTE, NC | $149,584 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| WILSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL | WILSON, NC | $100,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $99,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $90,948 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| NORTH CAROLINA EASTERN ALLIANCE | EDENTON, NC | $63,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NC A & T STATE UNIVERSITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $58,687 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| UNC-GREENSBORO | GREENSBORO, NC | $51,437 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $43,667 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $36,216 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| THE SOUTHEASTERN PARTNERSHIP INC | ELIZABETHTOWN, NC | $35,833 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| RTI INTERNATIONAL | RALEIGH, NC | $29,808 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| UNC-ASHEVILLE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $26,607 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY | HIGH POINT, NC | $24,750 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY | ELIZABETH CITY, NC | $23,310 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| LEAH WYRICK DBA THREE STRANDS RECOVERY WEAR CORPORATION | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $20,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| DRUID AGRICULTURE INC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $20,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| PREVAI LLC DBA DWELLSAFEAI | BROOKLYNN, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| NUREAM INC | WILMINGTON, NC | $20,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| RUKIYAH VAN DROSS DBA CLARADELE PHARMACEUTICALS INC | WINTERVILLE, NC | $20,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| WAKE MED | RALEIGH, NC | $17,820 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| DEEP CREEK PHARMA | YADKINVILLE, NC | $13,500 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
UNC-CHAPEL HILL
$711,065RESEARCH
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$486,254RESEARCH
UNC-WILMINGTON
$311,144RESEARCH
UNC-CHARLOTTE
$185,280RESEARCH
WILSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
$100,000RESEARCH
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$61,697RESEARCH
UNC-ASHEVILLE
$57,632RESEARCH
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF RESEARCH
$52,337RESEARCH
CENTRAL CAROLINA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$50,896SCHOLARSHIP
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$28,125RESEARCH
CRAVEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$13,644SCHOLARSHIP
HIGGS BOSTON INC
$8,000RESEARCH
SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS OF NORTH CAROLINA
$8,000RESEARCH
CMP PHARMA INC
$7,398RESEARCH
JOHNSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$5,458SCHOLARSHIP
NC ASSOCIATION FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
$5,065RESEARCH
UNC-CHAPEL HILL
$813,168RESEARCH
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$534,743RESEARCH
UNC-CHARLOTTE
$149,584RESEARCH
WILSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
$100,000RESEARCH
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
$99,000RESEARCH
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$90,948RESEARCH
NORTH CAROLINA EASTERN ALLIANCE
$63,000SCHOLARSHIP
NC A & T STATE UNIVERSITY
$58,687RESEARCH
FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
$36,216RESEARCH
THE SOUTHEASTERN PARTNERSHIP INC
$35,833SCHOLARSHIP
UNC-ASHEVILLE
$26,607RESEARCH
LEAH WYRICK DBA THREE STRANDS RECOVERY WEAR CORPORATION
$20,000RESEARCH
DRUID AGRICULTURE INC
$20,000RESEARCH
PREVAI LLC DBA DWELLSAFEAI
$20,000RESEARCH
NUREAM INC
$20,000RESEARCH
RUKIYAH VAN DROSS DBA CLARADELE PHARMACEUTICALS INC
$20,000RESEARCH
DEEP CREEK PHARMA
$13,500RESEARCH