NCInnovation Approves Nine University Research Projects With Commercialization Potential
This week, the NCInnovation Board of Directors unanimously approved $7.9 million in funding to support nine applied research projects, bringing the total statewide commercialization portfolio up to $47 million across 47 projects.
“Each funding cycle adds more depth to the portfolio we are building across North Carolina,” said Kelly King, Chair of the NCInnovation Board of Directors. “We are continuing to identify technologies with strong commercial potential and support the work required to help them grow into the companies, industries, and jobs of tomorrow for this state.”
The May 2026 slate continues NCInnovation’s twice-yearly funding cycle and expands a growing portfolio of technologies advancing through applied research and development across North Carolina. The May 2026 slate marks NCInnovation’s second statewide project approval cycle within six months. The projects approved in this round span agriculture, energy systems, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure. They are located across multiple regions of North Carolina and reflect NCInnovation’s long-term focus on helping universities move technologies closer to private-sector investment and commercial adoption.
Projects approved in the May 2026 slate include:
At Appalachian State University, Brett Taubman is developing plant-based milk and food products made from surplus sweetpotatoes that would otherwise go unused.
At UNC-Chapel Hill, Brianna Vickerman is developing cancer treatments designed to activate only at targeted tumor sites in an effort to reduce damage to healthy tissue.
At North Carolina A&T State University, Debasish Kuila is working on a process that converts plastic waste into jet fuel and other chemicals.
At UNC Greensboro, Hemali Rathnayake is scaling a process for producing battery materials using less water and fewer harsh chemicals.
At UNC Wilmington, Karl Ricanek and Alex McDaniel are developing software and brain-health monitoring tools that work with fabric-based sensors designed for at-home neurological monitoring.
At East Carolina University, Lok Pokhrel is developing a device that delivers mite treatment to honeybee colonies as bees move through the entrance of a hive.
At NC State University, Ricardo Hernandez is developing indoor growing systems for producing disease-free strawberry starter plants.
At UNC Charlotte, Tiefu Zhao is developing a safety system designed to quickly detect and stop electrical faults in high-voltage power systems used in data centers.
Also at UNC Charlotte, Shenen Chen is developing a battery-powered rail system with wireless charging designed to reduce the infrastructure required for rail electrification.
All projects selected for funding demonstrated proof of concept and were evaluated through a multi-step review process that included external subject-matter expert review and market considerations before final approval by the Board of Directors.
With 47 projects now funded, NCInnovation is continuing to build a statewide commercialization pipeline designed to help more North Carolina technologies reach the stage where they can attract industry partnerships and future private investment.
“North Carolina’s universities are producing work that directly connects to industry and economic growth,” said Deanna Ballard, Chair of the Programs Committee for the NCInnovation Board of Directors. “This slate demonstrates that when you combine strong research with the right commercialization support, you can build something that scales.”
As NCInnovation’s portfolio continues to expand, the organization is also building a broader pipeline of technologies across North Carolina’s regions and industries through its regional innovation network model, which connects universities with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry partners across the state.
“With 47 projects now funded, we are continuing to build a statewide portfolio of technologies across agriculture, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing,” said Michelle Bolas, President and CEO of NCInnovation. “These projects are long-term assets for North Carolina. Our role is to help research teams move through the stage where technologies still need additional validation, testing, and development before they are ready for broader industry adoption or private investment. Through milestone-based funding and commercialization support, we are helping de-risk these technologies and position them for future investment, company formation, and long-term economic growth tied to North Carolina.”
NCInnovation’s grants are funded through earnings generated by the state’s $500 million endowment, allowing the organization to support commercialization activity while preserving the principal long term.
