To support events, meetings or conferences that advance the understanding or application of biotechnology and the life sciences for the benefit of North Carolina. Events must promote information sharing and personal interaction focused on life sciences research, business, or education.
BES funds can be requested for in-person, virtual, or hybrid events. To be considered for funding, virtual/hybrid events must demonstrate alternative efforts to engage participants in meaningful interactions and networking opportunities. The allowable and unallowable costs as stated in these guidelines will apply. Please contact us if you have questions.
⊗ This grant does not provide funds to promote a specific product or to benefit one or a few companies or individuals.
⊗ These funds are not intended to support recurring networking events.
Program Structure and Information
• BES funds are awarded in the form of a grant.
• Up to $3,000 may be requested. All budget requests must be well justified and in line with the overall costs and other sources of revenue for the event.
• Other significant support for the event is expected in addition to NCBiotech funds. A BES grant is not intended to be the sole source of funding for an event.
• Actual award amounts are based on availability of funds and may be less than the amount requested.
• BES grants cover direct event costs as outlined in Step 3 (page 6) under allowable and unallowable requests.
• Grant funds are disbursed directly to the applicant organization and must be used solely to support the event outlined in the BES application.
• Grant funds are paid after receipt of required reports and invoices at the end of the event.
• Any previous NCBiotech grants for the same event must be closed prior to submitting a new proposal. • Contact the Contracts and Grants staff if you have questions about an existing award.
• Rental fees for the Conference Center at NCBiotech are not allowable under the BES program.
• If you plan to host your event at the NCBiotech Conference Center, please contact us to determine grant eligibility. Contact information is provided at the end of this document.
Success with NCBiotech funding isn’t driven solely by the scientific novelty of a project — many programs emphasize commercial relevance, economic impact, collaboration, and ecosystem development. The following predictors are consistently reflected in funded portfolios and program guidance:
1. Clear Alignment with NCBiotech’s Mission
Successful proposals align strongly with NCBiotech’s stated mission to support biotechnology innovation, commercialization, company growth, and workforce development within the state. Projects that directly contribute to economic or commercialization outcomes — in addition to scientific merit — tend to stand out. Wikipedia
Examples:
Early translational research with a clear plan for commercialization
Work that enables new biotech products or services
Initiatives tied to workforce training or industry growth
2. Demonstrated Commercial Potential or Technology Readiness
Many of NCBiotech’s programs (e.g., Flash Grants, TRGs) prioritize projects with a plausible path to market or further investment rather than purely exploratory science. Reviewers ask: Does the project advance a product, process, or innovation that stakeholders value? cas.uncg.edu
Success predictors include:
Evidence or documentation of unmet need
Metrics for technology readiness, prototyping, or validation
Identification of potential industry partners or customers
3. Strong Partnerships & Collaboration
Funds such as the Collaborative Funding Grant (CFG) explicitly require collaboration between university researchers and industry partners. Successful projects often involve multi-disciplinary teams from academia and biotech companies working together toward common goals. Kenan Institute
Why this matters:
Demonstrates real-world relevance
Shows maturity beyond basic research
Signals readiness for commercialization or scaling
4. Feasible & Well-Justified Budgets
NCBiotech expects budget requests to be directly tied to project deliverables and matched to the scale and scope of the program. For example:
Flash grants are relatively small — budgets must be tight and purposeful. cas.uncg.edu
Equipment or facility requests (Innovation Impact Grants) must show broad institutional benefit. Home
Predictor: Budgets that are realistic, clearly justified, and aligned with the planned activities.
5. Institutional and Regulatory Preparedness
Funded applicants tend to demonstrate that:
Institutional support exists (e.g., letters of support from department chairs or tech transfer offices)
Regulatory or compliance planning is addressed (e.g., human subjects, biosafety) where relevant
This reduces perceived risk and shows readiness to implement the project.
6. Potential for Follow-On Funding or Impact Scaling
Projects that build toward larger goals (e.g., future NIH/NSF funding, venture capital interest, or commercial licensing) are competitive because they extend NCBiotech’s impact. Funders view early awards as de-risking investments that unlock future capital or outcomes.
7. Broad Benefit or Ecosystem Impact
Whether it’s developing workforce pipelines, holding biotech networking events, or strengthening university cores, successful applicants articulate how the work benefits more than just the PI’s lab — e.g., multiple investigators, students, or the statewide biotech community.
✔ Frame your project in terms of commercial impact and practical outcomes.
Articulate the problem you’re solving for industry, patients, or customers, not just the science.
✔ Show credible routes to next-stage milestones.
Even if you are at an early stage, include measurable indicators of progress and plans for follow-on support.
✔ Build meaningful partnerships.
Connect with relevant biotech companies, entrepreneurs, or tech transfer offices early.
✔ Engage your institution’s research support offices.
Letters of support and institutional team alignment improve credibility.
✔ Tailor to the specific grant type.
NCBiotech funds different activities (research, equipment, events) and each has its own expectations — follow guidelines closely.
| Predictor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Alignment with NCBiotech mission | Core criterion for funding relevance Wikipedia |
| Commercial potential or translation pathway | Key for innovation and impact programs cas.uncg.edu |
| Partnership with industry or multiple stakeholders | Strengthens feasibility and ecosystem relevance Kenan Institute |
| Well-justified, feasible budget | Matches scale and improves credibility cas.uncg.edu |
| Institutional support & readiness | Reduces implementation risk |
| Clear route to next funding or impact | Enhances long-term value |
Any North Carolina-based university or non-profit organization (with its own independent tax ID number or EIN) hosting an event being held in North Carolina related to the life sciences is eligible for this program.
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: North Carolina Biotechnology Center
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 15 T.W. Alexander Drive Durham, NC 27713-2847
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Feb 25, 2026
Feb 25, 2026
$3,000
Affiliation: North Carolina Biotechnology Center
Address: 15 T.W. Alexander Drive Durham, NC 27713-2847
Website URL: https://www.ncbiotech.org/funding/grants/biotechnology-event-sponsorship
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