Fueling innovation and economic impact in the Baltimore region.

About

The Baltimore Innovation Initiative (BII) Pilot Program was created to support an equitable innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in institutions of higher education throughout the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As a component of the State of Maryland’s matching contribution toward the Baltimore Tech Hub, BII seeks to advance technology toward commercialization of a product or service and bolster support systems for entrepreneurs developing technology-based ventures. 

Eligible Institutions are as follows:

  • Anne Arundel Community College
  • Baltimore City Community College
  • Carroll Community College
  • Community College of Baltimore County
  • Coppin State University
  • Goucher College
  • Harford Community College
  • Howard Community College
  • Johns Hopkins University*
  • Loyola University Maryland*
  • Maryland Institute College of Art*
  • McDaniel College
  • Morgan State University
  • Notre Dame of Maryland University  
  • St. John’s College
  • Stevenson University  
  • Towson University*
  • University of Baltimore
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus*
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County

Who Can Apply

The Baltimore Innovation Initiative is open only to Eligible Institutions in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) that opt-in for the program. To participate:

  • Institutions must formally join the initiative as partners
  • Only collaborating organizations can submit project proposals for BII funding
  • Project proposals should (1) advance technology commercialization and support start-up creation or (2) foster entrepreneurship development at the eligible university

Funding Levels

  • Technology Advancement - supports the commercialization of new or existing technology at the Eligible Institution.
    • The Technology Advancement grant is an award totaling up to $50,000 available to full-time faculty members, students, or student principal investigators at an Eligible Institution.
      • Note: Full-time faculty at MII-Qualifying Universities are not eligible to serve as lead applicants for a BII Technology Advancement Grant.
    • A grant award totaling up to $75,000 may be made for proposals with two or more Qualifying Universities submitting a Joint Application directed toward the commercialization of Technologies existing at more than one of the applicants’ Qualifying Universities or activities that would take place at more than one Qualifying University.
    • This grant is also open to technology-based startups that collaborate with faculty, students, or staff from BII-participating institutions to make key technical contributions to their technology development.
    • Startups eligible for funding via MII may apply for this award to engage faculty, students, or staff at non-MII-participating BII institutions
    • Duration: up to 9 months
  • Entrepreneurship Commercialization, Programming, and Infrastructure – supports the creation or enhancement of entrepreneurship programs and commercialization infrastructure for technology-based ventures.
    • The Entrepreneurship Commercialization, Programming and Infrastructure Grant is an award totaling up to $50,000 available to entrepreneurship and/or commercialization programs operated by Eligible Institutions.
    • Duration: up to 12 months

Program Dates and Deadlines

  • Open: 2/27/2025
  • Close: 5/08/2025
  • Complete applications for each project must be submitted by 5:00pm on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Applications submitted after 5:00PM will be rejected without consideration.
  • Indication of Interest
    • Open: 2/24/2025

Onsite Project Lead

  • Onsite Project Leads are individuals selected by the Qualifying Universities  to assist students, faculty, and start-ups in submitting a strong, business-oriented applications focused on commercialization. By providing valuable input and feedback prior to the submission of an application, these individuals work as liaisons between the applicant and the BII program. This helps to ensure that proposals submitted are of a high quality and align with the mission of the program.
  • The BII program requires each applicant to engage with an onsite Project Lead, at least one month (30 days) before application submission. It is recommended that applicants involve an onsite Project Lead early in the application process to increase their odds of success.
  • Every application must include a current, dated letter of approval, signed by an onsite Project Lead declaring their interaction with the applicant was at least one-month (30 days) prior to application submission to meet compliance requirements.
  • If you do not know your onsite Project Lead’s name, please email Jalaycia Lewis at jlewis@tedcomd.com.