14 projects split $2.1M in P.R. Science Trust grants
Science Trust CEO Lucy Crespo and University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus Rector John Fermandez. (Credit: José R. Madera)
The research for new diagnostic methods and therapy for endometriosis, the development of genetic tools to assist in the preservation of the bees and new methods to mitigate problems of coastal erosion are some of the projects of the new group of Grantees of the Science & Technology Grants Program, of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust.
The Science Trust will sponsor a total of 14 scientific and technological projects aimed at solving some of the most relevant to local and global problems, with a grant of $150,000 per project.
According to Science Trust CEO, Lucy Crespo, these 14 projects were chosen from 45 proposals evaluated. The projects are from researchers from academic institutions (six from University of Puerto Rico, one from the Central University of the Caribbean and three from Ponce Health Sciences University) and private for-profit entities (Agro Tropical, Novel Biomedical Devices, Remote Sensing Consultants, iGen Apps.)
“With this second edition of grants we reinforce of our mission to invest, facilitate and continually advance Puerto Rico’s economy and it’s citizen’s well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science and technology and it’s industrial base,” Crespo said during the ceremony held at the Science Trust headquarters in San Juan.
“We want to develop, attract and retain scientists and researchers, and enterprises to unlock world class creativity and competitiveness. This second group of grantees are important faces in the new economy we thrive to empower,” she said.
Greetchen Díaz, grants program director, said in this second call, 166 Letters of Intent were received and 45 research groups were invited to submit a Request for Proposal. As the first edition last year, experts of scientific, technological and commercial expertise, all from abroad, carefully evaluated the proposals.
Díaz added that the selected projects belong to different strategic sectors including: (5) Biotechnology and Life Sciences (2) Medical Devices (1) Clinical Research (1) Information Technology and Communications Technologies (1) clean and Renewable Energy, (3) and Agriculture (1) Environmental Sciences. The Agriculture and Environmental Sciences were included for the first time this year in this grants program.
