QED Funding

QED: Proof-of-concept funding - Science Center

Introduction

Elements of the Program

How to Apply

Awardees

Market Representation

 

After the Latin phrase for “what was to be demonstrated is demonstrated,” the QED Program provides funding and business development support for academic researchers developing early-stage life science technologies with high commercial potential. As angel investors, venture capitalists, and established industry increasingly invest in later-stage enterprises, finding early-stage funding to accelerate innovations has become more difficult. The QED Proof of Concept Program helps to bridge the gap between research grants and private seed investment, thereby supporting translational research and technology transfer. The QED Program was launched in early 2009 with an 18-month pilot to demonstrate its value and feasibility as an independent, multi-institutional, scalable, and economically sustainable proof-of-concept program.

The Science Center is well positioned to respond to opportunities to improve commercialization of life science technologies across the region. The QED Program’s key goal is to focus existing regional resources to retire business risk in early-stage life science R&D projects, increasing their attractiveness to follow-on investment by established life science companies and private investors.

The QED Program is currently available to researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Delaware State University, Drexel University, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Lehigh University, Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rutgers University, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Delaware, University of Pennsylvania, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Widener University and The Wistar Institute. Other organizations are expected to be included in future funding cycles. If you are at a research institute in the Greater Philadelphia region that is not in the list of QED Program participants and you wish your organization to participate in the QED Program, please contact us at qed@sciencecenter.org.