NCInnovation Approves $10 Million to Support 13 University Research Projects across 11 UNC System Campuses
Research-Triangle Park, NC – The NCInnovation Board of Directors unanimously approved the latest round of funded projects at North Carolina’s public universities, following a multi-month external review process overseen by the NCInnovation Programs Committee. The $10 million in funding will support 13 research projects at 11 UNC System institutions.
These investments bring NCInnovation’s cumulative commitment to $29 million since launch, supporting applied research with proof of concept and clear potential to generate jobs, new companies, and economic growth across the state. This cycle also includes a major milestone: North Carolina Central University received its first NCInnovation-funded project, reflecting the organization’s commitment to supporting innovation across all UNC-System campuses.
Michelle Bolas, Acting President and CEO, said, “NCInnovation’s December 2025 slate represents some of the strongest university-to-industry opportunities emerging anywhere in the country. Our universities are solving real problems, such as, improving manufacturing reliability, advancing next-generation medical treatments, and strengthening cybersecurity education. The overall goal is to support innovations that keep value in North Carolina by contributing to economic development throughout the state.”
Deanna Ballard, Programs Committee Chair, NCInnovation Board of Directors, added, “These projects show how applied research, when rigorously reviewed and matched with the right support, can meaningfully strengthen North Carolina’s competitiveness. I’m grateful to our external reviewers and staff for the diligence they bring to this work.”
NCInnovation grants undergo a multi-step evaluation process that includes pre-application screening, full proposal review, scoring by independent subject-matter experts, and additional portfolio and market considerations before final approval by the NCInnovation Board.
“These projects demonstrate the capacity of our public universities — large and small — to address national challenges and generate meaningful economic benefit for the people of this state. This is exactly the kind of work NCInnovation was built to accelerate,” said Kelly King, NCInnovation Board Chair.
This December 2025 slate reflects North Carolina’s regional strengths:
- Advanced manufacturing and materials science (NC State, UNC Charlotte, WCU)
- Therapeutics and medical innovation (UNC Greensboro, UNC Charlotte)
- Cybersecurity and educational technologies (UNC Wilmington)
- Defense and simulation technologies (Fayetteville State)
- AI-enabled tools for health, mobility, and safety (UNC–Chapel Hill, Appalachian State, NC Central)
- Agriculture and environmental technologies (Winston-Salem State University, ECU)
Appalachian State University — Dr. Gavin Colquitt
A scalable web-based tool that supports families and educators in identifying and addressing early movement-skill delays in young children.
East Carolina University — Dr. Robert Hughes
Environmentally friendly marine and industrial coatings that reduce biofouling and chemical buildup, helping vessels and coastal industries operate more efficiently while protecting workers and aquatic ecosystems.
Fayetteville State University — Dr. Sambit Bhattacharya
A physics-based simulation platform that generates realistic synthetic data for AI models, improving training accuracy for defense, emergency response, and healthcare without relying on real-world trial data.
NC State University — Dr. Jason Patrick
A new materials-engineering approach that improves the durability of composite structures, helping manufacturers reduce failures and extend product life in sectors critical to North Carolina’s economy.
NC State University — Dr. Ashley Brown
A next-generation synthetic platelet technology designed to speed wound healing and reduce bleeding, offering strong potential for medical, emergency, and military applications.
North Carolina Central University — Dr. TinChung Leung
A convergent threat-assessment platform that integrates sensor data, AI, and environmental analytics to support safer communities and more reliable emergency response.
UNC Charlotte — Dr. Babak Parkhideh
Advanced reliability-monitoring tools that help utilities and manufacturers predict equipment failures earlier, improving uptime and reducing operational costs.
UNC Charlotte — Dr. Rosario Porras-Aguilar
A compact, 4D quantitative phase-microscopy attachment that enables faster, more precise imaging for life-science, pharmaceutical, and materials-research applications.
UNC Greensboro — Dr. Kerui Wu
A precision drug-delivery platform that targets macrophages to treat inflammatory and immune-related diseases more effectively while reducing systemic side effects.
UNC Wilmington — Dr. Ellie Ebrahimi
A browser-based cybersecurity platform that helps elementary-age students learn safe digital practices through interactive, age-appropriate simulations.
UNC–Chapel Hill — Dr. Jason Franz
A cost-effective wearable sensor and machine-learning system that helps clinicians detect and monitor lower-extremity osteoarthritis earlier and more accurately.
Western Carolina University — Dr. Martin Tanaka
A new, easier-to-implant drainage channel designed to prevent painful arm swelling after breast cancer treatment, helping more women—especially in rural areas—access effective care closer to home.
Winston-Salem State University — Dr. Rafael Loureiro
A biofertilizer additive designed to restore soil biological function and improve crop productivity while reducing chemical fertilizer dependence.
Click here to see the complete list of NCI-supported projects and program details.
NCInnovation, Inc. is a Research Triangle Park, NC-based 501(c)(3) public-private partnership designed to accelerate commercialized innovation from North Carolina’s research universities. Backed by more than $25 million in private philanthropic commitments, NCInnovation uses the interest and income from a $500 million State-funded endowment to provide non-dilutive grant funding, mentors, and support services so that North Carolina university proofs-of-concept return value to the regional communities that created them. Learn more at NCInnovation.org.
