Maryland Innovation Initiative

About this program

The Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), a collaboration between TEDCO, the State of Maryland, and five Maryland research universities, supports commercialization of university technologies through technology validation, market assessment, and startup formation. Funding includes up to $130,000 for nine-month Technology Assessment projects (up to $180,000 for joint applications) and up to $300,000 for Company Formation, for a total of up to $430,000. Full-time faculty at Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland campuses may apply for Technology Assessment grants, while Maryland-based startups that have licensed qualifying university technology within the past 12 months may seek Company Formation investments. Applicants must pursue technology disclosed to a qualifying university’s technology transfer office with appropriate intellectual property protection, obtain a TEDCO ID, and engage a designated Site Miner at least 30 days before submission; applications are due quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15, or October 15.