rows of vials

Governor Hochul Announces Applications Open for Second Round of New York’s $40 Million Biodefense Commercialization Fund

$15.3 Million Awarded in First Round To Accelerate Growth in the Life Science Industry and Combat Infectious Diseases and Other Public Health Threats

Applications and Fund Guidelines Available Here

Applications Also Open for Fourth Round of $15 Million NYFIRST Grant Program To Bring World-Class Translational Researchers to New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced applications are now available for the second round of New York's $40 million Biodefense Commercialization Fund. The Fund, which awarded $15.3 million in grants to eight startups and 10 academic centers in April, was established to accelerate the development and commercialization of life science research innovations that address serious infectious disease health threats while creating jobs and encouraging continued growth across New York State's expanding life science industry.

"Thanks to the $40 million Biodefense Commercialization Fund, New York businesses are applying lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to spark innovation and grow the state's economy," Governor Hochul said. "With this funding, we are leading the fight to combat infectious diseases, bringing significant jobs and investment to New York State, and better preparing for our future. I am thrilled to announce that applications for the second round of funding are now live, and I encourage startups and early-stage companies to seize this opportunity to help grow our state's thriving life science sector."

Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The state's life science industry is a key driver of New York's economy. The Biodefense Commercialization Fund is playing a critical role in this, not only by turning scientific research conducted across the state into cutting edge treatments and solutions for serious infectious disease threats, but also by expanding the life science ecosystem and growing the economy."

Read the full press release here.